Despite their efforts Bromley’s FA Cup campaign came to an end as they fell to to a single early goal from Bristol Rovers in front of a packed Hayes Lane on Tuesday night, on a frustrating evening that saw The Ravens have two goals disallowed and dominate possession.
The game got off to the worst start for Neil Smith’s side when a defensive mix up on the edge of their own box saw Ollie Clarke cross the ball from the right for Johnson Clarke-Harris to bundle the ball home from close range.
Bromley were undeterred though and rallied straight away, exercising their game plan of making the most of every set piece and long throw. Joe Kizzi had a shot saved as The Ravens pressured Rovers with a series of corners, but the visitors held out.
Rovers best chances came down the right wing and they also went close when Liam Sercombe fired over and Clarke-Harris fired a shot across goal that went narrowly wide.
The game opened up as the half went on with Sam Wood setting up Michael Cheek, but the top scorer’s effort was saved by Jordi Van Stappershoef in the visitors’ goal and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild had a powerful shot deflected over after another dangerous long throw from Chris Bush.
Just before half time Bromley had a great spell of pressure and they thought they had equalised when Cheek latched on to a loose ball and took it past the keeper before sliding it into the net, but his goal was ruled out for offside, despite starting his run from behind two defenders.
Luke Coulson and Billy Bingham also went close soon after, but The Ravens just couldn’t quite find the break through.
The second half saw Bromley start on top, Hackett-Fairchild set up Bingham who fired wide and then he also blazed a good chance over himself soon after.
Rovers always posed a threat on the break and Bingham had to make a superb saving tackle to deny Tom Nichols just inside the box when he looked set to shoot.
With Rovers loosing direction as the half progressed and just hitting hopeful diagonal balls, Bromley pressed again and they thought they had finally equalised when another long throw from Bush caused chaos in the area before bouncing into the net at the far post, but the celebrations were cut short as Referee Pollard spotted that somehow no one had got a touch to the ball as it travelled through the crowded six yard box.
After a delay to the re-start The Ravens continued to knock on the door, but they just couldn’t find a way in, lacking that vital bit of quality in the final third of the pitch.
In the last minute of injury time Bromley broke forward again, but Coulson’s cross shot was saved by Van Stappershoef to secure a place in the second round for the League One side and send Bromley out.
Neil Smith now has to rally his squad ahead of a busy end to the month in the National League with away games at Sutton Utd on Saturday & Woking next Tuesday, prior to a home game with Yeovil Town to end November.
Bromley: Huddart, Kizzi, Wood, Holland, Bush, Bingham, Raymond (Edmonds-Green 70), Coulson, Hackett (Klass 88), Rees (Mekki 88), Cheek.
Subs Not Used: Najia, Dunne, Higgs, Tanner.
Rovers: Van Stappershoef, Kilgour, Leahy, Little (Rodman 58), Craig, Ogogo, Sercombe, Clarke, Menayese, Clarke-Harris, Nichols (Adeboyego 72).
Subs Not Used: Andre, Kelly, Upson, Bennett, Smith.
Goal; Clarke-Harris 3mins.
Ref: Mt Christopher Pollard
HT 0-1 FT 0-1
Att: 4,558
Pictures supplied by Ed Boyden Photography.