Glebe 4-0 Bromley - I'm a realist, we're not going to hit the heights they done last year, says Glebe boss Ben Young

Glebe 4 – 0 Bromley
Location	Foxbury Avenue, off Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6SD
Kickoff	19/07/2017 19:45

GLEBE  4-0  BROMLEY
Pre-Season Friendly
Wednesday 19^th July 2017
Stephen McCartney reports from Foxbury Avenue

GLEBE newly-appointed manager Ben Young masterminded claiming their biggest ever scalp in their 22-year history by beating a Bromley squad made up of mostly 17-year-old Academy players.

Glebe celebrated winning the Southern Counties East Football League First Division title last season and only Fred Obasa and Johnny Murray have stayed with the Chislehurst based club, with many joining previous boss Adam Woodward at Premier Division rivals Erith Town.

Glebe opened the floodgates through Joe Minter’s drilled shot in off the post after a free-kick was gifted by Bromley’s goalkeeper Amadou Tangara five minutes before the break.

It swiftly went downhill for the Vanarama National League club as Murray scored a beautiful curling strike early in the second half, before Glebe sealed a famous victory through substitute James Alderman and man-of-the-match Minter capped off an impressive performance in the middle of the park by drilling home a late penalty.

“My thoughts are, I thought we managed the game very well,” said Young, 34, who lives in Wilmington and is a school teacher.

“I asked them to set-up and keep their shape, which the boys done and overall I’m very pleased with the result.  It was hard-work, no one slacked, everyone done what I asked and done very well so for me, I’m very pleased.

“We played against a hungry Bromley side that are looking to push for their first team. They had a few good trialists and for me it was about working and competing against teams like that and we’ll be coming up against plenty like that in this new league.

“It was important to know when to keep our shape, when to break and just do everything right and tonight fortunately it worked that way so that’s what we got out of it, work-rate and keeping shape.”

Bromley Academy director Mark Hammond, Alan Dunne, Ben May and Stacy Long were in charge of the side tonight.

Despite the result, Hammond said he was pleased with what he witnessed at Foxbury Aveue.

“We made a very good account of ourselves and especially sections of the squad featured against Millwall’s under 23s (drawing 3-3).  Dexter Lovely, Tahjae Anderson, Aiden Enver, Ola Williams and Donnell Anderson, all played minutes yesterday against Millwall, which was testing for them. We then played Erith & Belvedere last night (losing 2-1 at the relegated SCEFL First Division side) with a mixed 11 squad.

“Half the squad that played tonight played in that. It was evident towards the end that we were little bit leggy, a little bit tired and the fatigue set in. That’s not an excuse. That’s been a good grounding for the boys for 17-year-olds, which was the average age of the squad tonight.

“It just shows the promise and the foundation of where the Academy is at the moment. It was a good account of what Bromley Football Club’s Academy has got to offer at the moment.”

When asked what his players got out of the game, Hammond replied: “Playing in an adult environment. It’s more physical, more testing, much quicker and it’s more intense for them. Rather than play their own age group, they’re now playing against men so I think they will develop and enhance their own individual performances quicker and hopefully speed up their journey towards either making it into the first team squad or whether they go in non-league football.”

Bromley played an eye-pleasing brand of passing football on the deck for the opening exchanges but they lacked any final product in the final third as former Sutton Athletic goalkeeper Dean Nash had a quiet night as central defenders Sean Heather and Steve Springett protected him superbly.

“It’s a very good point,” admitted Hammond.

“We were trying to unlock them in certain areas but I think due to the fatigue we lacked that forward movement.   We were a little bit narrow and I think it was naïve with our passing options and we kind of grew as the game went on in terms of our passing options but it’s that game management and that game learning for the boys.  They’ve got to be more courageous with their movement and a little bit braver with their running.”

Bromley’s first corner from Aiden Enver was punched away by Nash and the ball fell at Harry Harding’s feet and the former Bromley midfielder released pacy Obasa on the break, who easily cut inside Bromley’s left-back Riphi Kalola, only to drag his shot harmlessly past the far post from just inside the box.

Glebe went direct in the 16^th minute by creating a glorious chance as Minter hit a diagonal pass forward, which was controlled by Bryan Zepo’s chest before the left-winger cracked his volley straight into the hands of the advancing keeper.

Young said: “That’s something that we’ve been working on, is when we get the ball forwards can we be direct? Can we find our front men? Can we get a one-v-one?

“I was impressed, it was a great ball from Minter, Bryan peeled off and he’s got the ability to do that, which I think he should’ve tested the keeper a little bit more but it’s gone straight down his throat.”

Bromley also ditched their tippy-tappy brand of football that got them nowhere by going direct shortly afterwards.

Keeper Tangara launched a big kick downfield, which sailed over Heather’s head and this let in striker Tahjae Anderson, but his weak header was comfortably caught by Nash, dancing to his right.

Hammond said: “I think if he brings that down on his chest he’s in on goal with a foot strike rather than try to generate that power from the head. Yet again that’s Tahjae learning. He scored last night against Erith & Belvedere.”

Glebe got to grips with Bromley’s play and dominated the game after the 25 minute mark.

Harding rolled the ball out to left-back Tom Hammond, who was given space to cut the ball to striker Arlie Desanges, who cut the ball to Zepo, who swept his shot wide from 14-yards.

Enver floated a free-kick towards the edge of the Glebe penalty area but Lovely glanced his free-header across goal and was comfortably gathered by Nash.

Glebe went close on the counter-attack when Zepo turned his man in the middle of the park, drove forward before releasing Desanges down the left. He whipped in a cross-shot, which flashed across goal and past Obasa, who slid in unmarked at the far post.

Lively threat Obasa was forced off through cramp just before half-time and Young said: “It’s pre-season, there’s no point risking these players. We’ve got plenty of games coming up, Saturday here against Leatherhead.  We took the precaution, Fred’s pulled up. He was only going to get 65 minutes anyway so he was happy to do that and Sean Heather took a knock to his foot and Emily Sawyer (physio) took the decision and I was happy to agree with her because I want Sean and Fred for the season.”

Minter slipped the ball to Zepo, who teed up Harding, who dragged his first time shot past the far post, whilst being charged down, some 15-yards from goal.

Glebe deserved their lead, timed at 39 minutes and 3 seconds and it was gifted to them by sloppy Bromley goalkeeper Tangara.

Minter swung in their first corner from the left, the keeper caught the ball, dropped it and in a desperate  attempt to grab hold of it the fallen goalkeeper picked it up inches outside his penalty area.

No card was issued by referee Dan Proctor but punishment was served when Harding tapped the ball to Minter, who drilled his right-footed shot in off the left-hand post and into the back of the net from 18-yards.

The goalkeeper held up his left hand and said “sorry boys” to his team-mates as he made his way to the away dug-out as both teams stayed outside at the interval.

Hammond said: “Up until then, the keeper done very well, erratic decision maybe. I think if you’ve got a more experienced central defender he walks on to the ball and heads it clear where as we’ve got a 17-year-old in there and he hears the scream so we said at half-time ‘what did you hear?’  He said he’s heard the keeper so I said does that influence your decision?  He said ‘well, no, maybe I should’ve headed it!’, so I said ‘there’s your learning, next time go off your gut instinct just go and head it.”

When asked about his keeper apologising, Hammond responded: “It’s very good from him. Look he’s a very good nice guy, by all accounts he was at Crawley last year. He’s still young, he’s still learning.  It was really nice. The attitude and the commitment from the group was really good to see.”

Young said: “Joe Minter’s got a great delivery, he’s good around a set-play. Yes, it’s fortunate but mistakes happen and you’ve got to take advantage of mistakes.  We did take advantage of it.  We were sort of growing into the game at that point and it kind of kicked us on a little bit more when we got that one, so I’m pleased with that. We’ve got to take your chances.  We had a good three or four before that and fortunately enough we took it from a set-play.”

First team coach, Alan Dunne told Bromley’s players for “a little bit of urgency in our play – and to go out and enjoy it together as a team.”

“That’s how we’re going to grow, that’s how we’re going to learn and that’s our identity, that’s Bromley Football Club Academy,” added Hammond.

“I won’t change anything for how it ended. There were four individual errors and these boys will learn from those mistakes.”

When asked his thoughts at the break, Young said: “We had a good chat at half-time, talked about how we were going to keep the shape again. We were going uphill so it’s difficult, teams can pin you in, which they done.  It was hard work to keep shape, to travel and to close down and when we got on the ball it was pleasing as well.  First 10-15 minutes we were a bit ragged but after that we were quite comfortable and we grew into the game so for me I was just pleased how we kept our shape and took the lead.”

Glebe’s second goal would grace the National League,  when it arrived 142 seconds into the second half.

A sweeping move saw Gunner play the ball out to Murray, who cut inside and curled a beautiful left-footed shot over the keeper and into the roof of the net from 25-yards.

“Two players that I’ve had with me before (at Sutton Athletic), exceptional players, both have got exceptional feet,” said Young.

“Dan Gunner was linking the ball, it was his first pre-season back so he was blowing a bit but Johnny Murray has got all the talent in the world. He shifted it, as he normally does, great finish, so very pleasing for them two, a great finish from Johnny Murray!”

Murray’s strike was Mark Hammond-eque, the Bromley coach expected better from his right-back.

“That was the quote on the bench, ‘Hammo, I think you bent one in like that.’

“No, he’s pulled a worldy, it was very good but again the learning. Ola Williams’ has got to stand up, show him one way but he’s pulled the chop and the fella’s scored a very good goal.”

Minter delivered a quality corner from the left which sailed over towards the far post where Springett steered his free header past the near post from six-yards.

More good play from Gunner saw him cut into the box to reach the by-line before pulling the ball back to Desanges, who clipped the foot of the near post from close range. The ball rolled out to Harding, who walloped his drive towards the roof of the net, which was palmed over by Tangara after 53 minutes.

Young said: “We switched the play, Gunner was closing the play down. We won the ball back lovely in the corner, which he’s got the ability to do, picked out Arlie, he’s hit the post. It’s rebounded back, he’s turned well, set-up Harry and realistically Harry’s got to put the ball in the back of the net. He had a good work-rate tonight and I’m happy he’s playing in the number 10 and that he’s playing in that position.”

Hammond said of his keeper, “Very good apart from the accident or that miss-judgement. He played very well. He made some critical saves. I like the way he used his feet and played out from the back. He’s confident, played it from the back and it is good to see. It’s just unfortunate, that mistake.”

Enver, who impressed for Bromley’s first team up at Gateshead on the final day of the National League season, floated in a free-kick, which was met by substitute Antonio Gordon but Nash was having a comfortable night and made another comfortable save.

Bromley won the corresponding fixture comfortably 2-0 this time last year and included the likes of first teamers Ben Chorley, Rob Swaine, Dave Martin, Reece Prestedge, Tobi Sho-Silva and George Porter. 

Glebe were playing well and they produced another fine move in the final 20 minutes.

Alderman ran forward, found right-back Sutherland on the overlap and his low cross was met first time by Desanges, who swept his shot just past the foot of the right-hand post.

“I like my full-backs to get out wide,” revealed Young.

“A lovely little touch from Aldo, James Sutherland’s got a great delivery. He’s put a lovely ball across and Arlie, nine times out of 10 that goes in and it will do throughout the season. Unfortunately, it didn’t hit the back of the net but pleasing on the eye.”

Sutherland then whipped in a cross of high quality to pick out unmarked substitute striker Adam Marsh, who struck his shot past the post.

Bromley almost scored a consolation when a ball over the top released substitute striker Reyon Dillon through on goal.  Nash came out to clear and the ball was drilled towards goal by substitute midfielder Fenton Campbell-Young, which smacked against the right-hand post.

“He’s 18, he’s come on trial, his previous club was Fulham, so he’s going to get a couple of weeks to try to impress and we’ll keep working with him and see what he’s got,” Hammond said of Campbell-Young.

The impressive Minter was Glebe’s best player on the night and he floated in a free-kick from the right which was met by Marsh’s powerful diving header, which was palmed over by Tangara.

Young said: “Minter’s got great delivery, we know that.  Marshy’s just come in this week. He needs to get fit, he knows that. He’s got great calibre.  He’s got in a good position, he done well when he came on so next time that goes in the back of the net!”

Glebe rattled in their third goal, timed at 33 minutes and 40 seconds.

Substitute left-back Jeff Allen played the ball to Tom Hammond and the left-back played in Alderman, who flicked his left-footed shot over the keeper’s head into the back of the net.

“We spoke to Jeff and said to him to recycle it, put it back in and he’s picked out Tom Hammond, who is very good in the air, a good flick on and Aldo read it very well and a great finish so I’m happy with that,” said Young.

Hammond added: “It’s a very good worked goal. Again, we were very tired, we didn’t have any pressure on the ball up the top, they worked the ball and it’s just a lazy and lacking concentration. I think it was both physical and mental fatigue from the boys.”

Bromley winger Etiene Mukanya played the ball inside to striker Tahjae Anderson, who laid the ball off to Enver, who cut the ball onto his right-foot and his curling shot from 20-yards was caught by Nash above his head.

Glebe’s famous night was complete with 44 minutes and 28 seconds on the clock when Minter drilled his right-footed penalty in off the left-hand post from the penalty spot after Sutherland was sent crashing to the ground by Kalola.

“Joe’s a good player.  I got recommended him, he’s come in, a good lad as well, good chat and he’s come on leaps and bounds with every game so I’m hoping that carries on for the rest of the season,” said Young.

“James Sutherland grew into the game well, nicked the ball, drove into the box. He’s anticipated, got to the by-line, fortunately they clipped him and Minter’s stood up and put it in so he deserved that extra one, so I’m pleased with that.”

Hammond said: “He’s just gone to ground, wrong side of the player. He held his hand up and said ‘really sorry’.

“The boys are in at nine AM so they’re all hungry to get back in on the training ground and put right what they got wrong.”

Beating National League Bromley in only your third game in charge of Glebe is a great start for the former Sutton Athletic manager.

“It’s good. Look, they’re Academy National, they’re quality players regardless.  You can’t give them the time on the ball.

“For us as a club, we’re trying to stamp our authority in this season. It’s going to be a long season. This is a completely new team. We’re all coming together as one. It’s taking time, there’s going to be lots of ups and downs. It’s a rollercoaster.  Listen, I’m a realistic.  We’re not going to hit the heights they done last year. They were fantastic last year.  I’ve come in now and hopefully we can steady the ship this season and in the next two years push on as far as we can.”

Bromley coach Hammond had this message to the fans that watched the game.

“Don’t be disappointed. We’ve just played 17-year-olds. Nine of the players out there were 17 so I think it’s a brilliant advert for what the club is now producing and the foundation that is now in place. We’ve got a good base, a good platform to work from and that’s just within a year.

“We’ve got a first team matchday graduate (Enver), who’s made his first team debut and more will follow.

“Aiden played well, looked tired, but he did very well, he dominated the structure of the game for the first 25 minutes tonight. He’s a promise. There’s three or four in there that have got a chance.”

“I just like to thank them for coming tonight and supporting the kids, it’s brilliant.”

Glebe: Dean Nash, James Sutherland, Tom Hammond, Joe Minter, Sean Heather (Jeff Allen 65), Steve Springett, Fred Obasa (Johnny Murray 43), Daniel Gunner (James Alderman 65), Arlie Desanges (Adam Marsh 75), Harry Harding, Bryan Zepo (Malik Ouani 65).
Sub: Joe Horlock

Goals:  Joe Minter 40, 90 (penalty), Johnny Murray 48, James Alderman 79

Bromley: Amadou Tangara, Ola Williams, Riphi Kalola, Guy Baskerville, Donnell Anderson, Richard Sho-Silva (Fenton Campbell-Young 60), Etiene Mukanya (Spencer Cripps 84), Aiden Enver, Tahjae Anderson, Dexter Lovely (Antonio Gordon 44), Cameron Robinson Allen (Reyon Dillon 60).
Sub: Jamiah Boyd

Attendance: 167
Referee: Mr Dan Proctor (Dartford)
Assistants: Mr Leonardo Niro & Mr Tom Marshall (Eltham, London SE9)

Article updated: 09:10

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