For the second week in a row Green found themselves in a cup game against one of the two teams who were promoted from their Division last season, and it was none other than local rivals Ightham Reserves.

With Sebastian Vettel celebrating his latest victory with some doughnuts on the Wrotham Academy pitch, the fixture was switched to the delights of the former ski slope, otherwise known as Ightham’s pitch.

Green were without veteran’s Graeme Cook, Pete De-Kisshazy and Mick Slade and therefore fielded probably the youngest ever BGFC side to take the field.

Fennings. Wood, Bryce, Law, Sexton. NitschB, Brooker, Rayfield, Young. NitschS, Broad. Subs were Hopper, Higgins, Knight, CookD and Stell.

With Green attacking up the ski slope, they wanted to avoid going behind early and to ensure they were in the game come half time. A solid start by all gave Green good momentum and they had the better of the early exchanges. Green’s back four mopped up any threat and strikers Jamie Broad and Sam Nitsch both were getting on the end of through balls to cause Ightham trouble.

Green had two or three good chances to go ahead and were denied only by a lack of a clinical finish. At the other end the Ightham forwards were lively but Green managed to keep them at bay. A 0-0 scoreline at half time was about right but Green were pleased with their first 45 minutes work.

In the second half Green looked to use the downward slope to their advantage. The game was quite frantic and Green stood fast in tackles and started to pass the ball better and this enabled wide men Paul Young and Ben Nitsch to get down the line more. Danny Rayfield and Mike Brooker were working hard to keep possession and anything that Ightham threw at Green was competently dealt with by the Green defence. Ightham did have chances of their own but they came to nothing.

Fifteen minutes into the half the deadlock was broken. As Green attacked through the middle, the ball was played forward to Jamie Broad who found himself bearing down on goal, as he was pushed wide he managed to stay balanced and poked a simple ball across the Ightham six yard box, as it was partially stopped by the keeper, the bouncing ball was leapt upon by Sam Nitsch who simply nodded home from 4 yards.

Green were ahead and they deserved to be so.

With Aaron Hopper, Gareth Higgins and Dan Knight all coming on just after, Green looked assured and in control. The game started to heat up and that played more into Green’s hands. Green pushed for a second but were always just a tad short of gaining that goal.

Ightham had one good chance that was struck wide and apart from that keeper Rob Fennings only had a clearing up role for much of the half.
Green’s best chance came with five minutes remaining when Dan Knight sped pass a challenge and his quick snap shot was blocked by the keeper.

Despite not getting a second goal Green were the better team as thoroughly deserved the 1-0 victory against an Ightham team who are top of Division 2.

They now go through to the Quarter Final where they will meet the winners of the Sundridge Rangers v Seal game.

MOTM? All had decent games and gave a good account of themselves. Sam Nitsch had an impressive game up front and worked hard on lost causes, and even tacking a whack in the crown jewels for his troubles. MOTM this week goes to Rick Bryce for a solid display at the heart of the defence.