Bromley began their EFL Trophy campaign with a narrow defeat to Brentford U21s in an entertaining game at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night. 

The Ravens started in a 4-4-2 formation with new signing Adam Jackson playing at centre back, Jodie Jones on the left and a front two of Nike Kabamba and Michael Cheek. 

The match got off to an open start with Jones and Ethan Archer causing The Bees problems down either wing, while the visitors looked pacey going forward.

The Ravens had a good spell with Kabamba playing the role of target man and bringing others into the game with knock downs and flick ons. Late in the half Jones played in Cheek who had a shot saved by Reginald Rose and then Paul-Lavly crossed for Cheek who headed over.          

The second half saw Brentford start well, but the home defence did well to keep them at bay. When they did get through, Gustavo Nunes had a shot saved by Rex Porter at his near post.

Bromley rallied going into the hour, Archer fired wide, Kabamba had an effort saved and Cheek fired over. With the game wide open Riley Owen surged forward from midfield and had his shot saved by Porter.

Joseph Wheeler-Henry was then denied by Porter, before Bromley went close through Cheek and Tobias Brenan both forcing saves from Rose. Jackson and Jones both had a solid hour as they settle in to the squad.

There continued to be chances at both ends, Nunes put a free kick over for Brentford, while Paul-Lavly had a fierce drive from range tipped over by Rose. Cheek then had a shot cleared off the line by Caelan Avenell and then saw another shot saved by Rose.

The only goal of the game came with six minutes left as they pushed forward, Ollie Shield received the ball on the edge of the area and coolly found the corner of the net, giving Porter no chance.

Nunes fired over soon after, before Bromley had a late spell of pressure, but they couldn’t find a way through the visitors’ defence and The Bees took all three points. 

Andy Woodman’s men now have two weeks off before they travel to Crawley Town in the next EFL Trophy match.                   

Bromley: Porter, Mendy, Jackson (Haftom 64), Patten, Paul-Lavly, Jones (Miller 64), Brenan, Thompson, Archer, Kabamba, Cheek.

Subs Not Used: Adeboyejo, Burton, Conteh, Ifill. 

Brentford: Rose, Picotto, Grey, Avenell, Wheeler-Henry (Kilmas 90), Owen, Milambo (Bentt 45), Nunes, Carvalho, Shield, Holland (Gorman 61).

Subs Not Used: Kasujja, Oladapo-Gamu, Stokes, Wilson.   

HT 0-0 FT 0-1 

Goal: Shield 84mins   

Referee: Harrison Blair