chelmsford200805

Thursday 01st September 2005

Moralee denies Bromley opening day win

Saturday 20th August 2005	Ryman Premier League	Colin Head reports from The Courage Stadium
Bromley	1	McDonnell 35
Chelmsford City	1	Moralee 90

Bromley almost had the perfect start to the new season back in the Ryman Premier League, but had to settle for a point after the Essex clarets grabbed an equaliser six minutes into injury time, writes Colin Head.

Bromley started well and put the solid Chelmsford City back line under pressure with former Brighton & Hove Albion and Alma Swanley player Peter Smith excellent.

A great ball by Sam Wood was controlled by Barry Gardner but he just ran it too wide before shooting.

Adolph Amoako had a shot go wide and Wood also hit a good effort, which went just over.

Chelmsford, however, were a big, direct and quick side and they came close to taking the lead, before Tom Stradwick made a brilliant saving tackle.

Unfortunately the young centre back had to go off injured, but his replacement Andrew Julius did very well.

Bromley took the lead with ten minutes to go before half-time. Gardner hit a fierce free kick, which was parried by Lawler and the loose ball was pounced on by Steve Potterill and Nic McDonnell eventually headed the ball over the line.

Bromley continued the pressure their Essex visitors in the second half but they had a worrying moment when goalkeeper Andy Walker was knocked out in a collision.

The challenges started to get a bit nasty as the game went on and Des Boateng was on the end of a terrible tackle by Hopkins.

McDonnell was also floored and Hopkins later got some of his own treatment as the referee lost control.

Former Cray Wanderers' player Wood looks a quality addition to the side down the left and his crossing was superb.

Chelmsford went close when Jamie Moralee went on a good run and unleashed a shot, which Walker did well to save.

Gardner hit the post after pouncing on McDonnell's knock down and both Amoako and Mark Willy saw headers go wide.

Hopkins went close for the Essex side before they struck in the 96th minute. A ball into the box wasn't cleared and Walker made one great save but former Millwall star Moralee bundled the ball over the line.

Bromley: Walker, Potterill, Willy, Henriques, Stradwick, Gardner, McLeod, Boateng, Wood, Amoako, McDonnell. Subs: Julius, Falana, McGowan, Logan, Darko.

Chelmsford City: Lawler, Smith, Haswell, R Edwards, Sobers, Halle, Hopkins, Lincoln, Moralee, Valdez, Ositola. Subs: J Edwards, C Edwards, Jordao, Williams, Mangodza