Bromley suffered another tough night in their debut League One season as they were comprehensively outclassed by Leicester City at a sold-out Hayes Lane on Tuesday night and it could have been far worse, but for the heroics of Ravens keeper Grant Smith.

 Andy Woodman made three changes ahead of the match bringing back Corey Whitely, Will Hondermarck and Richard Taylor to the starting line-up.

The visitors got the game off to the perfect start when Sammy Btraybrooke played Will Alves in down the right and he beat Smith at his near post with a ferociously struck shot for 0-1 on 4 minutes.

Bromley tried to respond with a brief spell of pressure, but they were soon two behind when Marcus Ifill and Luke Thomas collided in the box and the loose ball fell to John Lundstram whose deflected shot from 20 yards gave Smith no chance.

Bromley mustered a couple of chances with Victor Adeboyejo and JJ McKiernan having efforts comfortably saved by Alex McCarthy, but The Foxes dominated the last quarter of an hour.

Smith made a great double save to deny Kami Doyle and Warren O’Hora, before saving a Lundstram shot with his feet. Smith was on hand again to foil Braybrooke, but in first half injury time the game was ended as a contest when Braybrooke again raced clear of the home defence and crossed for Thomas to convert from close range to make it 0-3 at the break.

Andy Woodman made four changes at half time a there was a glimmer of hope when Kamil Conteh shot wide from 20 yards, but that was all The Ravens could create. From there Leicester dominated possession with 75% of the ball and Bromley spent the half chasing shadows.

Braybrooke was again the provider on 67 minutes when Doyle played him in down the right and he then set up Emil Riis to make it 0-4 with a great pass across the area. Mercifully for The Ravens, Braybrooke was then substituted after tormenting Bromley for 71 minutes.

Mitchell Pinnock had a long-range shot saved by McCarthy on a rare foray up field, but the last ten minutes were played out in The Ravens’ half, with Smith making a great save to deny Liam Cullen. To make things worse for the home side they also lost Adam Jackson to injury on another chastening evening for Bromley in the third tier.                           

The Ravens are now second from bottom in the table ahead of what looks a crucial home game with Peterborough Utd in the league on Saturday afternoon. 

Bromley: Smith, Ifill, Sowunmi (Cheek 45), Jackson (Miller81), Taylor (Jones 45), Whitely (Grant 45), Hondermarck, Saville, McKiernan, Pinnock, Adeboyejo (Conteh 45). Subs Not Used: Kabamba, Mason.

Leicester: McCarthy, O’Hora, Souttar, Okoli, Alves (Howell 72), Lundstram, Page (Chaplin 72), Thomas, Braybrooke (Smallbone 72), Doyle (Reid 77), Riis (Cullen 72). Subs Not Used: Kangasniemi, Ravizoli.  

Goals: Alves 4, Lundstram 16, Thomas 45+2, Riis 67mins

HT 0-3 FT 0-4

Att: 5,500

Referee: Mr Alex Chilowicz

Image courtesy of Bromley FC