Academy Update 22/02/12
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23 February 2012
Bromley Blues continued with their recent successful run of form with a hard earned 3-2 victory over local counterparts Ebbsfleet United at Bromley FC.
It was Ebbsfleet who started the game brighter and helped by a strong wind began to take the initiative and midway through the half deservedly took the lead. The goal seemed to galvanise Bromley, who had struggled to have any real possession, making a greater attacking impression with Jake Britnell and Ben Small having opportunities. Both players figured in the equalising goal when a poor clearance from the goalkeeper fell to Britnell who quickly played in Ben Small who curled the ball into the corner to level the scores level at 1-1. Bromley finished the half the stronger team when the game dramatically turned just before half time when an Ebbslfleet Player was sent off. The second half, with the wind at their backs and with the extra man, saw Bromley begin to dominate with several close chances before Britnell burst through into the box and was brought down for a penalty that Arron Rhule dispatched into the bottom corner to give Bromley a 2-1 lead. Bromley continued to break forward but really lacked a clinical finish. The breakthrough came from an unlikely source when defender Tokunbo Akoloade scored from a corner for his first goal of the season seemingly closing the game out. It was Ebbsfleet though who finished the stronger scoring from a defensive mistake and then rallying to try and gain the draw in the final ten minutes. Key saves from goalkeeper Adam Dunsdon kept Bromley in front and Bromley defended well from a final onslaught in the closing stages. Bromley took all three points which keeps them firmly in the title race with an unbeaten run that goes back to mid-November. It was definitely not a spectacle but a rather gritty team performance with Stefan Wright giving a strong performance in center midfield with the game not being helped by difficult windy conditions.
Bromley Whites were very unfortunate to lose 3-2 at Cambridge United where after going 1-0 behind at half time managed to get themselves in front with goals from Parris Clarke and Rymel Samms. However it was the opponents whose experience told towards the latter stages of the game and Cambridge scored twice to earn a 3-2 win. After a rather slow start the younger Bromley Whites team really took the game to their unbeaten opponents and just failed to hold out to the final whistle where Byron Thompson put in a good performance in center midfield. The Whites remain mid table despite their performances deserving more points however all the players have continued to develop and improve their game against older and more senior opposition.
Murray Jones
Football Academy Manager
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