EPSOM & EWELL 1 BROMLEY 2 – LEAGUE - 07/12/02

Bromley came away from Merland Rise with three points from a game that saw them dominate the first half and defend for over half an hour of the second period. On a freezing day, with a heavy pitch, under relentless rain The Ravens stepped up and were counted showing character and strength, if not sometimes over playing. It was all Bromley from the start with Grant Watts and debutant Scott Buckeridge up front of a 5-3-2 formation. Epsom’s defence were put under continuous pressure and their keeper Espinosa was given a torrid time. The goal finally came on 25 mins, when a deep corner was met by the very impressive Gary Drewett who steered his header back across the goal and it crept in under the bar. Epsom came back into things and went close when a strike hit the under side of the bar, but in general Harris and Vines were in fine form and The Ravens deserved their half time lead. Just before the break some Epsom players made a mountain out of a collision between Kirk and Espinosa, but it was due to the slippery pitch.

The second half was a totally different story. For 30 mins the home side attacked down the slope and Bromley barely came out of their half. Despite some great defending it was a lapse at the back that saw the equaliser finally scored on 71 mins, when Manuel passed across the area and it was seized upon by Rogers who crashed in his shot for 1-1. The Ravens could have folded from that point, but McIntyre took the initiative and brought on Amoako and switched to 4-4-2. This freed up Kirk Watts who then terrorized the Epsom back line and it paid off in full on 85 mins when he combined well with Luckett before taking his time with the cross and found Amoako who deflected the ball over the line and won the game for Bromley. It could even have been three before the final whistle, which was greeted by great cheers from the cold HLO’s behind the goal and a warm applause from the tired, muddy, but victorious players.

Quote of the game, ‘We are so much better away from home!’

Team: Martini, Manuel, Luckett, Vines, Smith, Harris, Drewett, Myatt, Buckeridge, G Watts, K Watts.

Subs: Harwood, Harney, Butler, Amoako, Cook.