WWW.BROMLEYFC.COM - MATCH REPORT
DORKING 0 BROMLEY 1 – LEAGUE 21/08/04
This was exactly the kind of game we would have lost in previous seasons under Macca, but this time despite playing under par we managed to pull off a 1-0 win and make the start to the season 7 points from a possible 9.
Bromley started the game brightly, but never really tested the chubby home keeper Baverstock. After 10 mins Arkwright challenged him at a corner and the keeper was consequently down for several minutes receiving treatment to a shoulder injury. The game had barely got going again when Watson was on the end of an awful late foul and also had to receive lengthy attention from the physio. Ade Ikpa making his debut at the back from Bromley made a good saving tackle following one of Dorking’s rare attacks. Arkwright went close with a header from a corner, Amokao shot just wide after good work by Okafor and we generally dominated the game, but the break through didn’t come and we started to run out of ideas against Dorking’s stubborn defending with every home player giving 100%.
At half time I took in the view of what must be the most picturesque ground in the league and also pondered if it was attitude rather than ability that caused us not to be in front.
The second half started with Bromley pushing on and Taiwo pulling the strings. Ipka went close with a header, but we were served a warning when the Chicks broke out of defence and went close at the other end. Dorking took the initiative for a while and Walker was called upon to make some good saves. Bennetts squandered a great chance to put us in front when he cut in from the left, but went for a shot from an impossible angle rather than square the ball to Amoako. Bromley wasted too much pressure without the final ball and Walker again had to make a fine save when we got caught on the break. Vines came on for Amoako and the Ravens pushed on again. Finally on 77 mins Drewett and Watson combined on the edge of the box and Drewett hit a shot from 10 yards that Baverstock got a hand to but could not prevent from bouncing into the net for 1-0. The large away support went mad and we knew that the opening goal was crucial. Watson received some awful treatment by the Dorking centre backs off the ball, which the ref failed to spot, but he still put in another great captains shift up front. With only seconds left Walker once again made a brilliant save from Duffell to secure a vital if slightly lucky win for the Ravens.
Quote for the game: ‘This lot beat Dulwich!’ – Will.
Team: Walker, Potterill, Okafor, Ipka, M Kember, Arkwright, Drewett, Taiwo, Amoako, Watson, Bennetts.
Subs: Vines, Frost, Akdag, Suleymanoglu, Murdoch.