The Causeway Steel Challenge Cup Quarter Final between Tunbridge Wells and Crockenhill finally took place at Culverden on Sunday after a few previous postponements, thanks, mainly, to the hard work of Joe Croker who got the pitch rolled and marked.

As the game got underway, The Wells seemed up for the game and it took just seven minutes before they hit the front. A cross from the right found Jack Harris in space, in the box and he controlled with his first touch and slammed the ball into the net for 1-0.

The side then settled, and although the visitors had some possession, they didn't really trouble The Wells until on 25 minutes when found their way into the box - but a last ditch tackle from Joe Williams prevented what would surely have been an equalizer.

Tunbridge Wells kept going, and had a good chance to increase the lead, only for the visiting keeper to make a good save. For the remainder of the half, the game seemed to ebb a flow - Crockenhill sending a headed effort wide of the goal, and another shot hitting the upright - but The Wells held out to lead at the break.

The second half started with the visitors enjoying some possession, but without really getting any clear chances. Reduced to hitting long-balls over the top, The Wells defence coped well. With a half-time change of formation, the home side began to win the midfield battle and with a move from back to front on the hour-mark, a ball was played to Ben Williamson who went on a run, passing three opponents before laying the ball back to Harris, who coolly slotted the ball into the net, doubling the lead.

2-0 down, to the visitors’ credit they kept playing good football, but had no cutting edge on the day. Harris was denied a hat-trick, having a shot cleared off the line at 2-0, before the visitors had a speculative long-range shot bounce into the keeper’s face causing him to spill it to the advancing forward. He made no mistake and reduced the arrears to 2-1.

The goal gave Crockenhill a boost, and they pressed hard for an equaliser. However, Tunbridge Wells were not planning on capitulating, and were more than a match for them. Defensive duties established, on 77 minutes The Wells drove forward and finished the match off in style: Ryan Waterman bursting into the box, receiving the ball over his shoulder, controlling, and shooting over the despairing keeper to send The Wells 3-1 up, and into a Valentines day date at Dartford on in the Semi-Final.

“This was another great team effort, and although not playing great football, the boys were more than a match for Crockenhill,” remarked Darrell Cousins, U16s coach after the game. “The players gave 110 percent - there were lots of good performances to pick out. Harry Barden needs a special mention though, well done!

“We’re into the semis now but we switch back to league duties this Sunday at home to VCD. That’s another tough test, so let’s keep playing the way we can. Finally, a big thank you to all the supporters that gave up their Sunday to come and support us. It meant a lot to the team.”

Watch Jack Harris' second goal, and Ryan Waterman's third goal on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TWFC2010