A superb second half display from Bromley earned them a creditable point against league leaders Macclesfield in an entertaining game at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon.
Before the game began there was a minutes applause for Bromley President and former Chairman Glynn Beverley who passed away last week and was an integral part of the club.
Once the game got going it was Macclesfield who started the better with Ryan Lloyd going close twice, their pacey and direct attacking style put The Ravens under pressure for most of the half, with only the occasional break for Neil Smith’s side.
The home side’s first effort came from Luke Wanadio who had his shot saved by Shwan Jalal and then Brett Williams headed a George Porter cross wide of the target soon after.
Macclesfield continued to press though and pushed Bromley deeper and deeper as things went on, struggling to hold the ball up with only one striker. David Fitzpatrick had a low drive saved by David Gregory at his near post and the keeper also denied Tyrone Marsh’s shot and Danny Whitehead’s header. There was a moment of controversy when the visitors’ Kieran Kennedy was lucky to only be shown a yellow card for an elbow on Jordan Higgs and then escaped any punishment when conceding free kick for a chest high kick soon after.
From the free kick debutant Jack Wolfenden headed the ball against the bar, but Macc’s pressure eventually paid off on 38minutes when after Danny Whitaker had a header go just over, he then sent in a great corner for Lloyd who headed home unmarked in the crowded area.
Bromley came out looking far more positive in the second half and once Louis Dennis came on as sub they looked a real threat. Dennis was involved straight away when his low cross was sliced over his own bar by Keith Lowe and from the resulting Frankie Sutherland corner Jack Holland headed the ball against the post. Porter and Higgs went close soon after and then Wanadio’s goal bound effort was blocked by Jared Hodgkiss as The Ravens continued to press.
The break through eventually came on 70minutes when a half cleared corner eventually fell to Dennis who struck a low powerful effort from just inside the box past Jalal and into the far corner for the equaliser. Bromley continued to push from there with a Porter long throw headed wide by Holland and a series of corners putting the visitors’ goal under pressure, but John Askey’s well drilled side held on.
Late in the half Tyrone Sterling was also hit with a very late tackle, this time from Elliott Durrell, who was also only shown a yellow card by the lenient match official. In the end both sides deserved a point as they dominated a half each of an enthralling match.
Bromley now travel for Ebbsfleet Utd on Boxing Day and Leyton Orient four days later before hosting Ebbsfleet at Hayes lane on New Year’s night in front of the BT cameras.
Bromley: Gregory, Woolfenden (Raymond 88), Sterling, Holland, R Johnson, Higgs, Wanadio, Rees, Sutherland, Porter, Williams (Dennis 52). Subs not Used: Chorley, D Johnson, Vose.
Macclesfield: Jalal, Hodgkiss, Fitzpatrick, Lowe, Marsh, Wilson (Durrell 80), Lloyd, Kennedy, Whitehead, Burgess (Hancox 88), Whitaker. Subs Not Used: Pilkington, Ramsbottom, Arthur.
Goals: Macclesfield – Lloyd 38mins. Bromley – Dennis 70mins.
HT 0-1 FT 1-1
Att: 1,445
Ref: Mr A Young