metpolice290305

The Buck stops here

KENT referee David Buck defended his decision to abandon tonight's Ryman League Division One clash at a waterlogged Hayes Lane.

Following heavy rain two hours before kick off, the referee allowed the game to start, but following an inspection during the interval, he decided to abandon the game, with the score at 0-0.

Speaking after the game, he said: "Well, it's a waterlogged pitch and it's getting dangerous.  Certainly the goal mouth Bromley were defending during the first half was completely under water.

"The ball wasn't rolling, it wasn't bouncing and I feared for the players safety.

"The rain showed no sign of stopping, it's under water and it's running in the channels straight down from the top goal - it's unplayable.

"I think we struggled to get to half-time - there's nothing we can do."

With Bromley in need of a victory tonight to climb one place and one point within a final play-off spot, joint-manager George Wakeling was impressed with debutant Adam Locke, a signing from Nationwide South club Hornchurch.

Locke had been with the Essex side since their days playing Ryman League Division One football in 2002.  Prior to which he played almost 350 professional games for Southend United, Colchester United, Bristol City and Luton Town.  He is a versatile player capable of playing in midfield and defence and impressed his new manager in his 45 minute foray.

"We signed Adam Locke, taking Gavin McGowan's place tonight and he showed us what a good player he can be in really bad conditions," said Wakeling.

However, Bromley midfielder Danny Carroll is doubtful for Saturday's trip to Bashley, forced off due to a pulled calf after 36 minutes and goalkeeper Andy Walker - whose kept 17 clean sheets (not including tonight) this season is also doubtful for the trip to the New Forest, after being on the receiving end of Mark Watson's challenge as he smothered Scott Bennett's low 36th minute drive.

Watson and Bennetts - both released by Wakeling earlier in the season - were involved in ugly scenes during the half, which should spice up the re-match.

Watson, who scored only 10 career goals for the Hayes Lane outfit in 41 games, confronted Bromley striker Wade Falana in the middle of the pitch and Bennetts went eye ball to eye ball with Colin Luckett on the stroke of half-time.

Wakeling, however, felt Buck made the right decision to call time on the game at the interval with the conditions getting more farcical by the minute.

"Under the conditions we played really well," said Wakeling.

"I am glad it was called off because I think we are better than them and that pitch became a lottery and someone could have won it with a circus goal if you like, something unusual and something ridiculas. 

"I didn't want that to happen.  If we were going to lose, I want to lose the right way and not in conditions like that."

And on losing Carroll and Walker, he added: "That's the downer, we've got two injuries out of it.  I am quite worried about that but we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it."

But he hinted he may delve one final time in the transfer market before Thursday's deadline - with the backing of his chairman, Jerry Dolke.

"I am very impressed with Adam Locke, yes very impressed," he said.

"We are trying to cover ourselves for Andy Walker, because he's got a bad knock in there but other than that we'll go with what we've got, unless Jerry wants to dig deeper into his pockets then we might get someone else."

Bromley must win their remaining six league games if they want to get into the four play-off places.  If they don't it will be another season wasted for the success starved Hayes Lane faithful.

Wakeling added: "We are going to Bashley for three points.  We can't go for anything less.

"I think we are as good as anyone in the division as we are at the moment."

For the record, Bromley were by far the better team in the 45 minute farce on a dreadful, waterlogged pitch, with skipper Steve Potterill trying to join the attack at every opportunity.

Striker Adolph Amoako - with 19 goals this season - and the club's top scorer in three seasons - twice came close to scoring for the home side in the opening ten minutes.

His first chance, from Gary Drewett's cross from the right by-line was headed wide by the striker before he received the ball from debutant Locke, who burst forward from a deep position, but Amoako fired wide.

Locke then went close from a 30-yard drive, which skidded off the wet turf and went just past the foot of the post.

Police were forced to shoot from distance and Simon Gregory's long range shot looped high and wide of the Bromley goal after 27 minutes.

Five minutes later Bennetts burst down the left hand side of the pitch and his cross was cleared by Bromley defender Sam Okafor.  Ian Batten played the ball into the box for Watson, who dwelled on the ball too much and Bromley were able to clear.

Batten then drove a 18-yard shot wide of the far post.

Bennetts' - who signed for Stuart McIntyre's Bromley in the close season from Metropolitan Police - fired in a shot, which was going wide of the left post, and Walker smothered the ball but was in need of treatment following a late challenge by Watson - who then confronted Falana  in the middle of the park.

Bennetts came close on the stroke of half time when his 20-yarder swerved just wide of the far post and we finished the half - and the game - with Bennetts and Colin Luckett going eye ball to eye ball.

The re-match should have even more riding on it.


Bromley: Andy Walker, Adam Locke, Colin Luckett, Steve Potterill (Capt), Tutu Henriques, Sam Okafor, Danny Carroll (Billy Harding 36), Wade Falana, Adolph Amoako, Kevin George, Gary Drewett.  Subs: John Hind, Allan McLeod, Bernard Labadie, Andy Silk

Metropolitan Police: Stuart MacKenzie, Simon Gregory, Paul Barrowcliff, Kori Davis, Dave Newman, Jon Daly (Capt), Craig Brown, Ian Batten, Mark Watson, Kevin Cooper, Scott Bennetts.  Subs: Rob Hanworth, Stuart Harte, Steve Flinn, Paul Sears, Matthew Fox

Referee: D Buck
Assistants: P Lockley & D Wyatt