Redmond goal wins battle of the Rovers
Ashford needed a response and it came from substitute Shane Farrell. Having forced a free-kick wide on the right, Daniel McCann floated the ball to the far post, leaving Farrell to tap home from close in and making it 3-3 after 66 minutes.
But in a dramatic finish Bridge substitute Oisín Firman made it 4-3 on 90 minutes. Three minutes into additional time though, Farrell was once again on the mark with a low shot to the net from the edge of the area to force extra-time.
Both sides were beginning to run out of steam in extra-time. It looked as if the game was heading towards the dreaded penalty shoot-out until five minutes from the end of the second period when Bridge centre-back Colin Redmond came forward to get his boot to a breaking ball to find the corner of the net.
It gave his side a dramatic late victory, and Ashford were stunned in the process, bowing out of the cup in such dramatic circumstances after an heroic effort.
Bridge Rovers: Brian Tobin, Shane Hogan, Mark Tobin, Colin Redmond, Evan Devereux, Shane Murphy, Kevin Byrne, Terry Gainfort, Kevin Murphy, Derek Walsh. Subs. - Oisín Firman, Ray McGlone, Mark Mythen, Jason Murphy.
Ashford Rovers: Paul Conyard, Kane O’Shea, Naoise Treacy, Andrew Reilly, Seán Beale, Shane Dunne, Fionn Brooks, Karl Earles, Danny Byrne, Jamie Kelly, Daniel McCann. Subs. - Shane Farrell, Paul Duffy, Chris Sillery, James Clarkson.
Referee: Seamus Kelly.
Table-toppers Cushinstown added another three points to their tally on Sunday as they overcame Enniscorthy United 3-1, with Jason Dunne bagging a double and Ian Gaffney getting their other goal.
Dwayne Smith, Jay Somers and Dion Dunne got the goals for Bunclody as they won 3-1 in Oylegate, while Ciarán Kehoe got the goal for Ferns as they drew 1-1 with The Ballagh.
Raheen beat Ballymurn 3-1, with Mark Cowman, Dylan Whitty and Shane Whelan scoring for the hosts and Glen Murphy replying, while Caim United saw off New Ross Celtic 4-2.
Camolin drew level with Wexford Albion at the top of Division 3A as goals from Chris Sweeney and Daryl Murphy (two) helped them to a 3-2 win over Courtown Hibs.
Rosbercon are also on 12 points after a 3-1 away win over Wexford Celtic, with Jamie St. Ledger, Kevin Doyle and David Brazil scoring for the New Ross outfit. Bridge Rovers won 5-0 in Campile, while Philly Murphy got the goal for Kilmore United
Cloughbawn made it five wins from five league outings as they edged out Boolavogue 2-1 with goals from James Redmond and Stephen Kennedy (penalty).
Brendan McCreary was the main man for St. Joseph’s, netting four goals as they beat Enniscorthy Town 7-0, with Davin Kehoe, Shane Murphy and Shane Doherty also getting in on the act. Bree United beat Rosslare Port 2-0 with goals from Dean Doyle and Philip Walsh, while Pa Redmond and Tony Kenny got the goals for Shamrock Rovers in their 4-2 derby defeat against Ajax Athletic, with Ryan Dwyer, Darren Martin, Johnny Whelan and Derek Kearns hitting the net for Ajax.
Tombrack took the points against Taghmon, winning 3-1 with goals from Jamie Murphy, Jamie Walsh and John Ryan.
Leaders Wexford Albion continued their perfect start to the campaign with a 5-2 win away to St. Cormac’s.
Mark Browne bagged a double, with Cian Rossiter, Ben Nolan and Brian Murphy adding a goal apiece as the Wexford town side made it five wins from five.
Promotion-hopefuls Castledockrell and Ballymurn shared the spoils on Sunday, with Mark O’Gorman on target for the former and Stephen Dempsey replying. Camolin earned a 2-1 win in Caim with goals from Glen Carton and Dylan Kennedy, while Duncannon and Stoney Rovers drew 1-1 and Cushinstown won 2-1 in Killenagh.