BROMLEY 2 STAINES TOWN 2 – League 30/11/02

Another shambles of a home performance saw us drop two more points and only play well for a brief spell after half time. Wade Falana started up front despite being obviously unfit and only lasting the first 45 mins and Chris Currie made his debut along with the returning Billy Manuel at the back.

The first half saw Bromley have a little more possession, but not really threaten the Staines goal apart from a couple of chances that fell to Falana, which he never looked likely to score. On 24 mins The Ravens were gifted a huge slice of luck when Martini only managed to punch a high ball towards his own goal, as a Staines forward ran in to score Manuel clearly pushed him and handled the ball. The Ref gave the penalty but to everyone’s surprise only showed Manuel a yellow card. To rub the salt in the Staines Town Massive behind the goal Martini saved the spot kick diving to his right. For every great save made by Chuck he also makes a series of silly riaks that will be punished by better sides. Just before the break Staines did take the lead when a poor defensive clearance fell to Johnson who smashed his shot home from just inside the box.

Jose Arrabali came on for the second half and looked very bright, causing the visitors a few problems and deservedly grabbing the equaliser on 57 mins. Jose combined well with Amoako before beating two defenders and rounding the keeper before placing his shot past a defender on the line. The momentum shifted to Bromley for the next 15 mins and after some nice interplay in midfield and promising moves they took the lead on 71 mins. A corner from the right was headed goalwards by Vines, a defender blocked his effort, but Amoako was first on hand to smash the rebound in from close range. From that point The Ravens should have gone on to win comfortably, but Staines worked their way back into the game and in injury time a long cross over from the right was met by Hooper who headed the ball over Martini and into the top corner of the net for 2-2. At the final whistle The Swans celebrated it like a win and Bromley fans felt like they really had now blown all chances of promotion, watching a shadow of the side that had been assembled in July.

Quote for the game, ‘We’ll get buttf***ed by Bedford on Tuesday!’

Team: Martini, Currie, Luckett, Vines, Smith, Manuel, Drewett, Myatt, Amoako, Falana, KWatts.

Subs: Arrabali, Buckeridge, Butler, Amanaing, Harwood.