The fact that Bromley’s players looked disappointed at the final whistle will tell you all you need to know about this game. We dominated the match and should really have taken the three points if we had adjusted to the heavy pitch a little better.
After having loads of trouble getting to Barkingside in the first place, with Bickley being shut due to an ‘incident’ and engineering works on the Central Line, the day looked doomed as we arrived. The turnstiles were shut at 2.15pm and the Ref was inspecting the pitch. Fortunately the news broke that it was on and in we went. The pitch was very heavy down the middle and cut up really badly in the second half, but it was playable.
The first half started brightly and The Ravens threatened on several occasions, at the back Harris was awesome, with Watts and Drewett looking good on the wings. Bartley and Gibson look to be forging a promising partnership up front and McGowan looks classier with every match. The teams went in level at the break with the Bromley fans the more up beat.
In the second half it was a similar story, but you had the feeling a sucker punch could be on the cards and it came on 63 mins. Benstock let fly from over 30 yards and the ball flew into the roof of the net, greeted by a faint applause from the poor home support. Bromley took a couple of minutes to recover, but once they did it was full on attack yet again. Gibson had a shot blocked, Watts squared the rebound but Bartley had his effort blocked as he hit it and both he and the defender required treatment. The equaliser finally came on 68 mins when Watts crossed to Drewett who teed the ball up for McGowan, His shot was deflected to Bartley who took a touch and blasted the shot into the corner of the net. We went mental!
As the game went on McGowan had a couple of chances, as did Drewett, but the main talking point was a clear foul on Gibson in the box that went unpunished. The Linesman signalled for a penalty, but the Referee waved play on, after he was hit late from behind! Chapman was in great form in the Ford goal and also shared the usual banter. A fine result for Bromley, but they could have won.
Quote for the game, ‘Oi, keeper are you Ray Winston’s stunt double?’
Harwood, Frost, Tivey, Drewett, Lester, Harris, Myatt, Watts, Bartley, Gibson, McGowan.
Subs: Silk, Hollidge, Amaning.