Staines Town 1 Bromley 2

Sunday 19th February 2006

Bromley secured a vital three points away at play-off chasing Staines Town on Saturday with an impressive second half display of attacking football and solid defending, writes Colin Head.

The first half saw the home side start brightly and push Bromley back very deep and they were in front on 9 minutes when Dean Green flicked in a corner from six yards.

But it was going behind that sparked the Ravens into life. Ellis Remy had a fierce volley tipped over by the Swans goalkeeper Shaun Allaway and Adrian Stone had a header saved from a Colin Luckett free kick soon after.

The lively Sam Wood cut in from the left and two efforts on goal blocked before The Swans cleared their lines.

Bromley suffered a big blow when influential midfielder Allan McLeod had to go off injured, but his replacement youth team midfielder Adam Greenaway had a solid league debut.

Staines pushed Bromley back again as the half went on looking stronger in the challenge and pressurising the Ravens into giving the ball away.

Green shot just wide, and former Leatherhead hero Ali Chaaban had a shot saved by Andy Walker, but Bromley’s defence prevented any further goals while at the other end both Luckett and Remy were just off target.

The second half saw Bromley come out fighting and really go for it, Gary Drewett cashed in on some hesitant defending on 47 minutes and calmly took the ball round Allaway and rolling it into the net.

Fiston Manuella blazed over the Swans best chance soon after, but it was Bromley who continued to press.

Tutu Henriques volleyed wide from a free kick, Des Boateng shot over and had another goal disallowed for offside before Bromley finally took the lead on 63 minutes. On a quick break out of defence Drewett raced down the right wing before cutting in and playing the ball across the edge of the box, Stone skilfully stepped over to let it run to Remy who blasted the ball home from 18 yards.

The big former Margate striker ran to the travelling fans to celebrate what was a fine move and finish.

Remy again called Allaway into action as Bromley continued to dominate the game, Boateng was unlucky not to make it three when he dispossessed Jake Newton and then chip the keeper only for the ball to go just over the bar.

Mark Willy was a rock in Bromley’s defence and made one great saving header from a wicked Benson Kpaka cross, while Walker made a good stop from De Lisser as the west Londoners launched a fight back.

Stone went close from a Wood centre and Remy shot over on the beak, but Bromley spent the last few minutes running down the clock and this frayed home tempers with Manella being booked for a hack on Remy and Newton was shown a straight red card for terrible looking scythe on man of the match Drewett.

When the final whistle came it was Bromley celebrating an essential and well earned away win.

Staines Town: Allaway, Newton, Murphy, Winfield, Flitter, Scarlett, De Lisser, Manuella, Nwokeji, Green, Chabaan. Subs: Maskell, Kpaka, Devera, Watkins, Ifura.

Bromley: Walker, McLeod, Luckett, Henriques, Willy, Gardener, Drewett, Boateng, Remy, Stone, Wood. Subs: Vines, Greenaway, Panikos.