WWW.BROMLEYFC.COM - MATCH REPORT
BROMLEY 3 BASHLEY 5 – LEAGUE 28/08/04
Blimey! Where do you start recounting what happened at Hayes Lane on this crazy Saturday afternoon? Bromley lost their unbeaten start to the season and on this evidence it won’t be the last defeat we suffer as a result of shambolic defending and poor organisation, but the defeat was further soured by Bashley’s antics at half time when they accused stand in linesman Ron Coombs of cheating and refused to come out for the second half until a new replacement linesman was found!
It all started so well - Amoako broke free within the first minute and smashed in the opening goal from 10 yards. Potterill and Amoako again went close soon after before the visitors started to settle. Then came the injury to the linesman and qualified referee Ron Coombs stepped in to take up the flag. On 22 mins a great cross-field ball by Bashley clearing a Bromley corner opened up the pitch, saw Ikpa rudely exposed by pace and his awful challenge resulted in a penalty. Wakefield tucked the spot kick away, which was greeted with complete silence and it was 1-1. Bashley then put Bromley under lots of pressure and we looked very wobbly at the back. Walker also had an erratic game in goal. Amoako was taken out by two Bash defenders and struggled to shake off the injury. Just before half time linesman Coombs flagged for Bashley keeper Harper carrying the ball out of his area and a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box. Once again Taiwo stepped up and scored a masterful dead ball goal into the top right hand corner for 2-1. Sadly piss poor defending once again cost Bromley and an unchallenged dead ball cross bounced in off the post and Arkwright - 2-2.
Then came the farce as Bashley stayed in the dressing room for 10 extra minutes at half time refusing to continue unless a new replacement linesman was found, their manager Butler accusing Mr Coombs of cheating! Finally a Suburban League official came forward and the game resumed.
Straight after the delayed restart Bromley’s defence gifted Gibbons a goal by failing to challenge for a loose ball and we were 2-3 down! Bromley’s defence was all at sea for all of the second half and we always looked too slow and poorly organised. Macca made changes - Ikpa was subbed, Potterill put to right back and Murdoch came in at right midfield. Amoako drew the scores level on 54 mins breaking free on the edge of the box and placing the ball in off the post. Taiwo was taken out off the ball and we just didn’t compete physically across the field. Gibbons hit the bar as we were torn apart yet again with Frost and Arkwright making basic errors. Huggins came on for Vines, but never really got into the game. Ref Smith made Henriques go off to get his blood stained shirt off, but then booked him after he returned to the pitch, following a lengthy wait, without permission! On 82 mins Bashley went in front again after a long high cross from the left bounced off the bar twice before going in off Frost!
The pathetic shambles of a day was further ruined by an injury to Amoako, before Taiwo had a great free kick saved by Harper. The last goal of the game came in injury time and secured the points for the visitors as Arkwright was left for dead and Adams crashed the ball past Walker. The end came soon after to complete silence in the Nest as stunned Bromley fans wondered just how we could play so badly and let in 5 goals at home.
Quote for the game: ‘What’s he doing?’ – Lloyd.
Team: Walker, Potterill, Okafor, Henriques, Frost, Arkwright, Ikpa, Taiwo, Amoako, Vines, Bennetts.
Subs: Murdoch, Suleymanoglu, Huggins, M Kember, Hunter.