A fine display saw Bromley grab their first home win for a while and exact some payback on Dave Garland for the year of misery the fans endured when he was manager. Big Daddy’s latest victims Croydon showed all the hallmarks of his style, playing ill-conceived longball, showing more interest in fouling than winning the ball and blasting the ball out of the ground when under no pressure!
Bromley started well and went in front on 9 mins when Amoako deflected a Grant Watts shot past Martin in the Trams goal, after they both combined well in the box. The Ravens should have gone further in front, but failed to make their dominance count and were thankful to Chuck for a great save at the midway point of the half, tipping over a fierce long shot. Just before the break Croydon were gifted a free kick for a very soft looking ‘foul’ and, typically, they scored from it, when it was whipped in from the left and turned in at the near post. 1-1 and Garland was on the pitch making obscene gestures to the Bromley fans behind the goal.
Fortunately the second half saw no more reasons for Garland to celebrate as Bromley dominated and killed the game off just after the hour. Kirk Watts lashed in the second on 59 mins, finishing off some good work by Myatt. Four minutes later his brother Grant combined well with Amoako, before finding the corner of the net from 10 yards. There were two down points to the half - the first being Myatt’s dismissal for a second yellow and then Amoako limping off after a nasty knock to the back of the leg. The Ref's reluctance to book Croydon players began to anger the fans, especially considering some of the treatment handed out to Kirk Watts who was taken off for his own safety with 20 mins left! Still, class told for once and the Bromley fans went home happy in the knowledge that things had got so much better on the pitch since Garland’s long over due sacking last season.
Quote of the game, ‘Garland! Garland! What’s the score?’
Team: Martini, Smith, Harney, Vines, Manuel, Harris, Drewett, Myatt, G Watts, Amoako, K Watts.
Subs: Harwood, Amaning, Khalouq, Wilfort, Cook.