Bromley bowed out of the League Cup at the first time of asking on Saturday afternoon as they lost a penalty shoot out to fellow League One side Reading at Hayes Lane.

In very hot conditions the game got off to a lively start, Reading doing some early pressing, before Michael Cheek and Mitchell Pinnock went close for The Ravens. After a good spell from the home side, it was Reading who took the lead when a move down the right saw three blocked efforts in the area before Josh Stokes drove the ball home through the hands of Shamal George in the home goal.

Daniel Kyerewaa then went close for The Royals after a good run into the area, before Bromley came back into things. Omar Sowunmi played a superb pass through to Cheek and he bundled the ball past keeper Joel Pereira and slid the ball into the corner of the net for 1-1.

Bromley had an appeal for a penalty turned down straight after when Cheek was shoved in the area, before Pinnock and Ifill were just off target. Late in the half Reading had a spell of pressure, but the game remained tied at the break.

The second half saw Bromley start with Pinnock firing over, but Reading had the better of things attacking down either wing. There were lengthy delays for injuries to Jacob Mendy and Ashley Charles, with a hydration break also only minutes later.

Kyreece Lisbie then went close for The Royals, Geroge making a great save from close range. Reading were then awarded a penalty when Richard Taylor pulled Lisbie back in the area, but Bromley got a reprieve when Lewis Wing hit the post from the spot.

Ethon Archer crossed for Corey Whitely who went close for the home side soon after, with the game wide open. Then on 90 minutes Taylor received a second yellow for a foul on Udoka Malife on the halfway line and Bromley played with ten men for the nine minutes of added on time. With Reading pressing, George made two great saves from headers at the far post from Kyerewaa and Jack Marriott and The Ravens held on for the draw.

The cup tie then went to penalties with both sides converting their first four kicks in front of the away fans, but after Randell Williams had scored the fifth for Reading, Archer’s tame effort was well saved by Pereira to put The Royals through to the next round.

Bromley now prepare for their debut League One game away at Barnsley next Saturday.

Bromley: George, Mendy (Taylor 62), Ifill, Sowunmi, Grant, Hondermarck, Charles (McKiernan 63), Conteh, Whitely (Headman 90), Pinnock (Archer 63), Cheek (Adeboyejo 63).

Subs Not Used: Addai, Thompson, Kabamba, Patten.

Reading: Pereira, Malife, O’Connor, Ward, Dorsett (Lane 61), Rimonhota (Fraser 90), Wing (Savage 76), Lisbie, Stokes (Williams 61), Kyerewaa, Brown (Marriott 76).

Subs Not Used: Stevens, Beacroft, Roberts, Sackey.                                

HT 1-1 FT 1-1 4-5 Pens

Goals: RFC – Stokes 14 mins, BFC – Cheek 33mins.

Referee: Craig Hicks

Image courtesy of Bromley FC