chipstead240905

Chipstead frozen out

Bromley did just enough to get past Combined Counties League strugglers Chipstead at Hayes Lane and secure a place in the next round of the FA Cup - but they very nearly got taken to a replay by their opponents from two divisions below, writes Colin Head.

Bromley started well, putting Chips under pressure, but never really tested the keeper.

Nic McDonnell had a shot deflect over the bar off his strike partner, Adolph Amoako, who himself put a shot just wide.

The game was very scrappy with referee Mr Salt being far too fussy and disrupting the flow with needless stoppages.

Andy Walker made a vital save when, with their first shot on goal, Chipstead tested the former Wingate & Finchley stopper following a scramble inside the box.

Bromley then made the breakthrough after 32 minutes when McDonnell combined with Amoako before hitting a low drive under the goalkeeper's body.

The Ravens kept pushing on from there and almost made it two just before the break when Tutu Henriques' glanced a header just over from a corner.

The Ryman Premier League side started the second half on top and they went two in front on 52 minutes when Barry Gardner sent in a free kick for Joe Vines to head home.

Andy Locke had a shot go just wide and substitute Wade Falana - who replaced McDonnell - just turned Fraser Logan's cross over the bar from close range.

Falana had another chance soon after as he shaped to shoot and Bromley began to look they might pay for their wasted chances when Chipstead pulled a goal back with 16 minutes left.

Kwab Ageyi went in hard on Walker and with the goalkeeper on the floor and the defence failing to clear, Ageyi hammered home the loose ball.

Bromley's play became disjoined and the Chips stuck to their task and almost forced a replay.

Colin Luckett - a hero for Kingstonian during their famous FA Cup and Trophy runs - had to make a vital tackle to thwart a Chips break and Ageyi put another chance over the bar.

But despite a lengthy spell of stoppage time, the Raven's held out for an unspectacular win and their lower league opponents taking most of the credit, but it will be George Wakeling's men in the hat for Monday's (11am) draw.                           

Bromley: Walker, McLeod, Vines, Henriques, Luckett, Gardner, Locke, Boateng, Logan, Amoako, McDonnell. Subs: Falana, Potterill, Chin, Julius.

Chipstead: Lidbury, Teasdale, Eggleton, Fennessy, Allenne, Haywood, Pitterson, Garner, King, Moffatt, Cassidy. Subs: Ageyi, Williams, Hajrizat, Riley, Rose.