WWW.BROMLEYFC.COM - MATCH REPORT
HORSHAM 1 BROMLEY 3 – Promotion Play Off Final – 07/05/05
After all the hard work and the ups and downs of the season it all came down to this. The Anti-Bromley Alliance was out in force at Queen Street. Supporters from Slough, Whyteleafe, Leatherhead and of course AFC Dons were all there to cheer on the home town Hornets, but we fed off their opposition to our cause and came out worthy winners.
The official crowd was 1119, which means about 900 people must have got in for free, as the side terrace and main stand were full! The rain started to fall as the game got going which saw the ball move around even quicker on the excellent pitch. It was breathless stuff for the first 20 mins with neither side having any real opportunities. Then came the first dramatic incident of the game as Henrqiues got caught flat footed and brought down the dangerous Taylor in the box for a penalty to Horsham. If this had gone in it might have been a very different game, but Andy Walker continued on from Tuesday night and saved Carney’s spot kick, with Okafor clearing the rebound away. 5 mins later Bromley cashed in on their good fortune and went in front. Okafor played in Tommo down the right and he showed the coolness of a veteran in squaring the ball to the unmarked Falana who side footed the ball into the net cueing wild celebrations! Horsham rallied after this blow and came right back at Bromley, using the slope and the wind to put the Ravens under pressure. On 42 mins the Hornets got their equaliser when a free kick wasn’t cleared and a loose ball fell to Taylor who put his goal away very well. With the game now in the balance and half time approaching Bromley launched one more attack and the ball went out to McLeod on the left. He cut in on his right foot before sending in a vicious cross that sailed over keeper Burton and just inside the far post for 2-1 to Bromley! Half time came straight after and the advantage was our's.
The second half saw the sun come out and Bromley play some of the best football they have put together in ages. A display of skill combined with hard work and intelligent use of the ball kept Horsham at bay with the defence and Andy Walker keeping out anything that came near to the box. Tommo hit the bar early on and we were on top virtually the whole time. McGowan, George and Amoako all came on as subs, which gives you an indication of just how strong Billy and George’s squad is. Danny Carroll was easily man of the match as he ran the midfield! On 78 mins even the most pessimistic of Bromley fans knew that we were going up when Luckett hit the sweetest free kick from 30 yards out that sailed over the wall and just in under the bar for 3-1. The final 10 mins saw George and Amoako showing off some great touches and Horsham’s defence chasing shadows. We could have had a couple more but the winning margin was enough and six years on from relegation at Slough on the final day of the season Bromley were back in the Premier Division.
Quote for the game: ‘Thanks for coming down and supporting us, see you next season!’ – Stokes to AFC Dons fans in the bar!
Team: Walker, McLeod, Luckett, Potterill, Henriques, Okafor, Carroll, Falana, Tompkins, Locke, Drewett.
Subs: McGowan, Amoako, George, Stradwick.