Bromley 2 Billericay Town 2

Wednesday 15th March 2006

After a great first leg both sets of supporters are no nearer knowing who will be playing in the League Cup Final following another two all draw and another last minute equaliser by Bromley, which has set up a winner takes all game next Tuesday night at Billericay.

The game got off to a lively start with play flowing from end to end, but it was Bromley who edged in front on 17 minutes when Matt Game slipped and let in Sam Wood who sent in a low cross along the six yard box for Nic McDonnell to crash the ball home.

Adrian Stone nearly made it two minutes later, but his shot just scrapped the outside of the post.

Billericay rallied themselves and came right back into the game with Andy Walker making a great save from the classy Nathan Elder.

Joe Flack shot wildly over for the Essex side as the half went on and Walker made another fine stop from Lee Hodges before the break.

Bromley lost McDonnell to another injury at half time and he was replaced by the big Irish striker Donal O’Sullivan who was immediately in the action, linking up with Des Boateng to set up Wood who shot wide.

Walker once again denied Elder at the other end before O’Sullivan forced a fine double save from Ricky Millard and then had a third effort blocked on the line by a defender who appeared the handle the ball.

Former Ashford Town and Southall striker O’Sullivan still managed to retrieve the ball and cross for Boateng but his header went over.

As the rain began to poor down Billericay started to dominate the game with Walker making two stops from Elder headers.

Allan McLeod sent over a fine corner, which was headed just over by O’Sullivan, but Bromley rarely got out of their own half and looked unbalanced after changing to three at the back when Joe Vines replaced Barry Gardner.

Billericay’s inevitable equaliser came on 78 minutes when a ball from the left was turned in by Leon Hunter.

Just four minutes later Billericay were in front via the same man after Joe Vines had clumsily brought down Dave Collins for a penalty. Hunter sent Walker the wrong way to put the visitors in front and seemingly hand his side the vital advantage for the second leg, but Bromley once again proved they never give up.

From a corner Tutu Henriques was denied by a goal line clearance, Colin Luckett shot just over and The Ravens also had a shout for a penalty when O’Sullivan was pulled down.

With the game in injury time Bromley launched one last attack, Boateng ran down the right and his cross was directed by Wood into O’Sullivan’s path who beat Millard at his near post to make it 2-2 and set up a fascinating second leg at The New Lodge.

Bromley: Walker, McLeod, Luckett, Henriques, Willy, Gardener, Greenaway, Boateng, Stone, McDonnell, Wood. Subs: Vines, Silk, O’Sullivan.

Billericay Town: Millard, Henty, Kerrigan, Brown, McSweeney, Dormer, Game, Hunter, Elder, Flack, Hodges. Subs: Poole, D Collins, A Collins, Simmons, Brightly.