Tunbridge Wells fans celebrate at the final whistle on Saturday

By Steve Tervet

Kent has a club through to the FA Vase semi-finals for the second year running after Tunbridge Wells knocked out Hadleigh United on an historic afternoon at Culverden Stadium.

Following Herne Bay’s run to the semi-finals last season, the Wells are now two games from Wembley after deservedly booking their place in Monday’s draw for the last four.

A record crowd of 1,180 packed into the ground, where the Kent Hurlimann League side have averaged home gates of 167 this season. They witnessed a performance full of quality, focus and determination and the final whistle sparked a pitch invasion from the joyous home fans.

The Wells, playing their third Vase tie in as many weeks, attacked from the first whistle. Perry Spackman had a close-range shot saved by Hadleigh keeper Dan Heath before Tom Davey’s acrobatic bicycle kick flew over the bar.

At the other end, Hadleigh’s Danny Bloomfield dragged a shot across goal from an offside position and Scott Chaplin sent a firm effort into the hands of Wells stopper Chris Oladogba. But that was the best the Thurlow Nunn Premier League side could muster in a one-sided first half.

Jon Pilbeam sent a half-volley over for the home side, who went close again when Andy McMath’s shot flew into the massed fans behind Heath’s goal. Lewis Mingle cut in from left-back and shot straight at the United keeper, before Pilbeam almost rounded off a pacy counter-attack with an effort which curled wide.

Finally, the breakthrough arrived nine minutes before half-time. Carl Cornell combined with Pilbeam to set up Andy Irvine, who made no mistake from close-range.

Chances were in shorter supply after the interval, but it was still the Wells who carried the greatest threat against their lukewarm Suffolk opponents.

Irvine was guilty of a bad miss after Cornell’s shot had been pushed into his path but the former Woodstock Sports man did put the result beyond doubt with his second goal on 75 minutes. Pilbeam capped an excellent performance when he whipped in a low right-wing cross which Irvine tucked past the helpless Heath.

It could have been 3-0 when Pilbeam blazed over in the dying stages, but the celebrations were long and loud at the final whistle.

Tunbridge Wells: Oladogba, Bourne, Whibley, Spackman, Mingle, Pilbeam, Davey, McMath, Stanford (Barton 78mins), Cornell (Harris 69mins), Irvine (Large 90mins). Subs not used: Fuller, Czanner. Attendance: 1,180.