An extra-time hat-trick from Andy Constable eased Tonbridge Angels Reserves into Thursday's Challenge Shield Semi-Final at home to Corinthian Casuals, this after Chipstead pulled back a two goal half-time deficit.

The Angels started the game slowly on a poor playing surface but Chipstead rarely threatened the visitors goal, it was top-scorer Phil Cramp who opened the scoring with a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area. Ten minutes later Angels had doubled the scoreline, a superb cross-field pass from debutant Andy Constable found Alex McEwan on the far edge of the penalty area who took one touch before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net. Phil Cramp was unlucky not to have added a third and his second when his twelve yard effort rattled the angle of crossbar and post.

In the second half Chipstead threw bodies forward in an attempt to get themselves back into the match, the gamble played off for the home side as a break down the Angels right found the ultra quick Chipstead winger who outpaced Rainbow before squaring the ball back for the burly Chipstead centre forward to side foot home. The goal clearly rattled the visitors as two minutes later the home side drew level with a contender for goal of the season, a sizzling 35 yard shot from one of the Chipstead subs flew into the top right hand corner of Matt Bromby's net.

The Angels regained their composure and both Cramp and Constable hit the cross-bar, the latter a stunning 18 yard volley. Chipstead's only efforts came from balls played into the penalty area, but Bromby's superb handling coupled with Sim Johnson and Ollie Miles' heading ability curbed any threat. Tonbridge nosed in front in the first period of extra time, a ball played into the penalty area found an unmarked Andy Constable who coolly slotted the ball past the keeper. At the other end Bromby superbly saved a shot from just outside the box.

Five minutes into the second period of extra time the Angels all but wrapped up the tie, Constable hitting an unstoppable angled shot that flew across the face of the keeper and into the far top corner of the net. With a couple of minutes remaining the striker then latched on to a through-ball before rounding the keeper and sliding the ball home to complete his hat trick.

Report by: Julian Leigh

Manager's Comments: "I have to say this was not one of our better performances, but we still managed to get the result we needed against a physically strong side. To lose a two-goal lead and still come back and win the game by a three-goal margin shows tremendous character. Andy's a good friend of mine and came in due to Dan Powell's injury as a favour. As it turned out it was one hell of a favour! I was pleased to see him get his hat-trick particularly one of such quality. "