Bromley progressed to the FA Cup First Round Proper on Saturday afternoon, thanks to a 1-0 win at the Jubilee Stadium, the temporary home of opponents Gloucester City, on Saturday afternoon.
Frankie Raymond had the first attempt of the afternoon on six minutes, but saw both his initial and follow up efforts blocked, the latter of which appeared to strike an arm in the penalty area, but nothing was given.
Minutes later, Jake Jackson got the better of Paul Rooney in the Bromley penalty area, and sent a low cross-shot on the turn across the face of goal, but with no fellow City player on hand to turn the ball home, the ball rolled out for a throw in. The next chance of note fell to Bromley’s Richard Brindley, who, after seeing his initial cross from the right flank blocked, produced a fierce shot on the turn from an angle in the box, but saw his effort ripple the side netting.
And it would be nine minutes afterwards that the best chance of the half would fall into Bromley’s hands. An outstanding piece of skill from John Goddard saw him turn his man exquisitely and thread a well weighted pass through to Omar Bugiel, who took a touch and narrowed his angle on goal, only to shoot inches wide.
As first half injury time came to a close, the Tigers’ Matt Liddiard rose high to get on the end of a City free kick deep into the Bromley box, but could only head wide.
After the break, Bromley emerged the sharper of the two sides, and took full advantage just five minutes in. After George Porter was hacked down out wide on the right, Raymond stepped up to swing in the free kick, and, in an almost carbon copy of his winning goal against Barrow last week, saw his delivery fool the goalkeeper and loop into the net. Whether it was deliberate or not, only he will know!
However, the Ravens needed to remain alert and were reminded of that just three minutes after opening the scoring. The lively Joe Parker weaved in and out of two Bromley challenges, before unleashing a low, curling shot, which forced David Gregory into a fine save, tipping the ball around the post.
And three minutes after that, the ever lively Porter went close to doubling the Ravens’ lead. After Bugiel won back possession, he started a quick counter attack with Goddard, who fed the ball to Porter. The Bromley man then stung the palms of Andy Hannah, having driven in a powerful shot from just outside the box, forcing a good save.
15 minutes from time, some outstanding work between Goddard, Frankie Sutherland and Bobby-Joe Taylor resulted in the opportunity for Bugiel to shoot from just outside the box, and shoot he did, missing the target by inches in the end.
On 84 minutes however, would come the best chance for Bromley to double their lead. An outstanding run from Porter, which saw him beat several City defenders and break into the box, ended with a low shot, which cannoned off the base of the post and away from goal. Had it gone in, it’d have been a certain goal of the season contender.
More brilliance from Porter late on saw an opportunity carved for Sutherland, but his shot was blocked, before Porter again provided the run and cross into the box for Goddard, but the Tigers defence were alert to it and cleared the danger.
Bromley saw out the remaining minutes to record an important victory, progressing to the First Round and getting themselves into the hat for the draw on Monday night.
Bromley XI: Gregory, Sutherland, Holland (C), Raymond, Bugiel (Higgs), Mekki (Taylor), Porter, Goddard, Wood (Okoye), Brindley, Rooney.
Unused substitues: Johnson, Huxter (GK) Goodman, Meekums.
Attendance: 621
Referee: James Durkin