WWW.BROMLEYFC.COM - MATCH REPORT
BROMLEY 2 SUTTON UTD 1 – FA CUP 3RD QUALIFYING RD REPLAY 20/10/04
One of those nights that will live long in the memory of all Bromley fans present at Hayes Lane. A superb second half display by keeper Andy Walker and defender Danny Arkwright kept us in the game and secured our place in the fourth qualifying round at home to Cambridge City.
The game started in cagey fashion with half chances at both ends, but Sutton went in front on 15 mins. A twice taken free kick was curled over the wall and into the corner by former Womble Peter Fear. Sutton pushed on and opened us up, but thankfully Walker was on hand to make a great save. Okafor had a great game down the left and caused the U’s defence all sorts of problems. His cross was well struck by Drewett and turned away by Wilson under his bar. Drewett and Watson both got on the end of another cross and Sutton just managed to scramble the ball away for a corner. From the corner the ball was just scrambled away again and then Sutton broke quickly only for Walker to make another fine save. On 43 mins the Ravens drew level. A Taiwo shot from a corner was deflected into the bottom corner of the net for 1-1. Then in first half injury time we took the lead! A corner was powerfully headed towards goal by Arkwright and former Bromley player Eddie Akuamoah volleyed the ball into the roof of his own net! This was made even funnier as he had been making gestures to the fans behind the goal before the kick had been taken. After playing some really nice stuff Bromley went into the break in front.
The second half was a tale of Sutton pressure with occasional Bromley breaks and a series of fantastic saves by Andy Walker. Bromley backed off and invited constant pressure. This wasn’t helped when Watson had to go off injured, but we held out for the whole 45 mins and the copious injury time added on by Mr Salt. Arkwright headed a corner off the line late on and had made several great tackles throughout. Bromley broke out and managed to keep possession for a while before the referee finally called the game to a halt and the fans and players could celebrate a historic victory against our rivals from two divisions higher.
Quote for the game: ‘How long's left Col?’ – Lloyd, Mark, Sven, Garvo and Mike!
Team: Walker, Potterill, Okafor, Taiwo, Luckett, Arkwright, Drewett, Rose, Huggins, Watson (Suleymanoglu), Bennetts.
Subs Not Used: Hill, Henriques, M Kember, Hunter.