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Bromley win clash between the new boys

An injury hit Bromley side came back with a well earned three points from Stompond Lane thanks to a fine display of character and hard work against a big physical side on a very bumpy pitch, writes Colin Head.

The first 25 minutes of the game were pretty uneventful, with Bromley passing the ball, but failing to create any real chances and Walton hitting long balls with no result.

Bromley had the first chance to score when Barry Gardner sent over a good cross and both Wade Falana and Adolph Amoako (a player the home side wanted to sign during the close-season) had efforts well saved by Nick Gindre.

Amoako also had a header saved from a Steve Potterill cross and Potterill himself had a shot go just over.

Walton’s first chance came when Riddell headed over.

Bromley had two shouts for penalties turned down as the half came to a close, on both occasions Amoako appeared to be pulled down in the box, but Referee Mr Smith turned the appeals down.

The second half saw Bromley dominate the play and possession of the ball, but Walton (who finished runners-up behind AFC Wimbledon last season, with Bromley going up via the play-off's having finished in fourth place) always looked dangerous on the break with their direct quick style.

Bromley could have taken the lead when Des Boateng broke from defence and played in Amoako who crossed for Sam Wood, but his volley went over the bar.

Target man Falana was brilliant in the air and provided a vital out ball for the Bromley back line all game, he flicked on a ball for Wood, but he just lost control at the vital time.

As the home side grew frustrated they started to commit more and more fouls, with Mr Smith letting far too much go unpunished until he eventually lost his patience on the hour mark and booked Riddell for a foul on Gavin McGowan.

From the resulting free kick the deadlock was finally broken as Gardner hit a ferocious low effort that caught Gindre out of position and went in off the foot of the post.

The Swans then came back into the game and put the make shift Ravens defence under pressure, they what looked had a clear penalty turned down after Julius appeared to bring down Haylock, but anything else they threw at Bromley was either blocked our well saved by the excellent keeper Andy Walker.

Bromley continued to press for a second goal with Falana and Amokao both shooting over and Amoako also lost his footing on the pitch as he was played in by Boateng.

Late on Walton were denied by a well timed saving tackle by Andrew Julius on Haylock and Goggin also had shot go wide on another break.

Bromley survived one more penalty appeal before the final whistle signalled a vital hard earned three points for The Ravens, which gives them four points from their opening two games.

They were denied a victory due to a late, late, late equaliser from Chelmsford City's Jamie Moralee, after Nic McDonell gave the Kent side a 36th minute lead on Saturday.

Walton & Hersham: Gindre, Thurgood, Chalmers, Thompson, Lavender, Riddell, Allum, Frontin, Edgar, Haylock, Goggin. Subs: Reive, Savage, Cartwright, Francis, Clarke. 

Bromley: Walker, Potterill, Willy, Henriques, Julius, McGowan, Wood, Gardner, Boateng, Falana, Amoako. Subs: Logan, Marino, Darko, George.