BANSTEAD ATHLETIC 1 BROMLEY 2 – LEAGUE 17/01/04

The first game back with Stuart McIntyre in the hot seat and we showed every winning quality that we failed to display the week before. There was team spirit, hard work, passion and all the players obviously wanted to play for Bromley FC.

Playing a solid 4-4-2 with John Wilfort as an emergency centre back Bromley found the Banstead side in a good run of form very hard to break down. The early part of the game was even and both sides had half chances in the box. The deadlock was broken on 30 mins when Myatt played the awesome Falana in and he held off three defenders before blasting his shot low and into the corner of the net. 9 mins later the Ravens extended their lead when McKoy’s low drive was flicked in by the ever lively George, wrong footing Webb in the home goal. Just before half time Banstead had a goal disallowed for offside after Danny Harwood had misjudged a bouncing shot. It was nice to see Bromley get a lucky break for once.

The second half saw Bromley dominate for long periods, but you could never write off a hard working Banstead side and only 4 mins into the half they pulled it back to 1-2 when a corner came out to Cormack who did well to score on the half volley. The Ravens pushed on though and Bobby George was denied twice by clearances off the line. Falana played him in for a solo run and Bobby rounded the keeper only for Hutchinson to block the goal bound shot. Minutes later a powerful header by Falana from a corner was flicked goalwards by George and his header was hooked off the line by former Raven Marcel Dennis. Banstead went close at the other end before Potterill had a shot blocked on the line from another corner and Paul Vines also went close. In the final minutes Banstead once more put Bromley under pressure and a great saving tackle from Wilfort denied Dennis. The final whistle came to a huge roar from the away end and it was a very positive day for Bromley FC all in all with Gary Drewett also making his return from injury.

Quote for the game: ‘Return of the Mac!’

Team: Harwood, Potterill, Harney, Wilfort, Luckett, Smith, Hammond, McKoy, Falana, George, Myatt.

Subs: P Vines, Smith Jnr, Drewett, Kember, Hunt.