Despite a late spell of pressure Bromley bowed out of the FA Cup at the first round stage as the fell to two second half goals against Bristol Rovers at Hayes Lane on Saturday, suffering the frustration of seeing an injury time ‘equaliser’ disallowed.
Going into the game in a 4-4-2 formation The Ravens pressed early on with series of crosses into the box, long throws and set pieces, while Rovers tried to play out from the back and look to hit Bromley on the break with Shaqai Forde their outlet ball.
It was The Gas who had the first real chance when Ruel Sotiriou hit the side netting after a slip from Deji Elerewe had let him in, but the half was bereft of any real quality from either side. The closest Bromley came to scoring was when Jude Arthurs had a shot saved by Luke Southwood from close range after a goal mouth scramble from a corner.
The second half saw Rovers go close when Joe Cotterill crossed for Bryant Bilongo, but Grant Smith saved his header. Bromley almost took the lead when Michael Cheek cashed in on a defensive slip, but Southwood did well to save the striker’s shot with a strong arm.
Southwood then made a great save from Mitchel Pinnock’s low drive and Laklye Samuel then hit the side netting from a tight angle. Samuel then crossed for Cheek who had a header saved by Southwood as The Ravens pressed for an opener, but they suffered a blow when Ben Thompson had to go off injured, just after coming on as sub.
Jemiah Umolu headed over soon after, but it was the visitors who took the lead on 75 minutes when a quick break up field saw Luke Thomas cut into the area from the right and after being allowed time and space, picked out Fabrizio Cavegn at the far post to head home unmarked.
With the home side stunned, three minutes later it was 2-0, when Cavegn broke down the left and crossed for Cotterill to tap home at the far post, again with the Bromley defence all at sea.
After a series of substitutions Bromley started to get back into things from there and pulled it back to 1-2 on 82 minutes when Ben Krauhaus found Umolu with a great ball and the Crystal Palace loanee striker scored his first Bromley goal from close range.
It was all Bromley from there and when the fourth official announced 11 minutes of injury time, hope was renewed for The Ravens that they may take the tie to extra time.
On 92 minutes a Pinnock free kick from the bye line found Omar Sowunmi who headed home in a crowded area, but after much debate between the officials, Referee Isaac Searle disallowed the goal, possibly for handball and that was it for Andy Woodman’s side.
After the disappointment of going out of the FA Cup, Bromley now have to re-focus and prepare for their League Two trip to Colchester Utd next Saturday.
Bromley: Smith, Samuel (Ilunbga 80), Sowunmi, Elerewe, Odutayo, Arthurs (Whitely 80), Hondermarck (Krauhaus 81), Pinnock, Charles, Cheek, Dinanga (Thompson 64, Umolu 69). Subs Not Used: Cameron, Ifill, Long, Stepien-Iwumene.
Bristol Rovers: Southwood, Mola, Lockyer (Moore 65), Negru, Bilongo, Chang (Conteh 56), Cotterill (Howley 84), Southam-Hales (Lopata 84), Sotiriou, Forde (Thomas 65), Cavegn. Subs Not Used: Dewsbury, English, Issaka, Young.
Goals – BFC – Umolu 82mins. BRFC – Cavegn 75, Cotterill 78mins.
HT 0-0 FT 1-2
Att: 2,500
Referee: Isaac Searle