Bromley progressed to the second round of the Kent Senior cup after coming from behind to beat Maidstone 2-1 at Hayes Lane.

The game got off to an even start, with Blair Turgott having the first chance, but the visiting defence was able to his shot from just inside the area. Tom Murphy then had a tame close range effort saved by the onrushing Alan Julian, as an awkward bounce landed conveniently in his path. After 15 minutes, James Rogers flashed a shot across goal after former Bromley striker Jay May had set the ball back into his path. Adam Cunnington then mustered enough strength to hold off several challenges to set Bradley Goldberg up, but he saw his curling effort blocked. Moments later, Julian’s goal kick fell straight into the path of Goldberg, but he was unable to steady himself and shot wide. Joe Howe then had a good chance to put the home side ahead, but after latching on to Turgott’s through ball, the right back’s shot was deflected over the crossbar for a corner, which subsequently came to nothing. Cunnington flashed a header wide for the hosts after a good cross from Dave Martin. Martin then shot just wide from long distance, after a scintillating passing move involving Turgott, Howe, Connor Dymond and Lee Minshull.

In the second half, it was Maidstone who had the opening chance ten minutes in. Charlie Harris’ header looked destined for the back of the net, but Julian reacted superbly to tip it around the post. Julian was at Bromley’s rescue once again twenty minutes later, as he dived to his left to acrobatically save Ben Greenhalgh’s outside of the boot effort. However, he was unable to prevent United taking the lead after the resultant corner was not cleared. Jack Paxman’s shot from an angle squirmed under Julian and into the net. After 77 minutes however, Bromley were level. Turgott’s excellent through ball was met by Howe, who crossed for Jordan Higgs to slide in and finish with a powerful first time effort. Just a minute after that, Bromley were awarded a penalty. Daniel Ajakaiye’s persistence paid off, after he chased down a defender, claimed the ball and was tripped in the process. Turgott stepped up and converted the spot kick calmly into the bottom right corner of the net, despite Lee Worgan diving the right way. Turgott went close again five minutes before the end of the game, but his powerful shot deflected off a team mate and went narrowly wide. Higgs then nearly doubled his tally, but saw his header fall just wide after Turgott’s pinpoint free kick delivery.

Bromley now face a trip to Tonbridge Angels in the next round. Date to be confirmed.

Bromley XI: Julian, Howe, Johnson, Holland (C), Martin (Higgs), Minshull (Campbell), Cunnington (Ajakaiye), Dymond, Anderson, Turgott, Goldberg:

Unused subs: Prestedge, Stanic-Stewart

Channing Campbell-Young is a trialist and Michak Stanic-Stewart steps up from the Club’s Academy.