Bromley travelled to St Albans on Monday night looking to put Saturday’s defeat at home to Chelmsford behind them however although the performance was to prove high on attacking verve, Bromley returned home with only a point to show despite creating more than enough chances to win the game.
Mark Goldberg had shuffled his pack from Saturday with Moses Ademola and Louis Dennis both starting upfront in place of Adam Birchall and Damien Scannell as well as Harry Grant returning to the side on the left wing. With a far more pacy look to the side, Bromley were quick out of the blocks and were unfortunate not to take the lead when Joseph-Dubois’ header was cleared off the line after five minutes. With Bromley piling the pressure on Jack Holland placed a header over the bar following a Danny Waldren flick on from a corner when perhaps he should have done better. Although Bromley had made all the early running in the game, it was St Albans who nearly took the lead against the run off play when Grant Mitchell curled a speculative shot from 35 yards out that crashed off the crossbar with Seb Brown well beaten. Taking heart from that effort St Albans fashioned a more clear cut opportunity three minutes later as Mitchell released Frendo who broke clear only to see his left foot drive blocked by the advancing Brown in the Bromley goal.
With the match resembling an exciting end to end cup tie, Bromley fashioned the next opportunity and opening goal of the game with a fine Louis Dennis effort. Receiving the ball in the 18 yard box and with 2 defenders around him Dennis still had much to do however quick feet and trickery created an extra yard of space that allowed him to side foot home past the dive of Joe Welch in the St Albans goal. The opening goal was no more than Bromley deserved for their enterprising play, however they were to be suckered punch two minutes before the end of the half. Lee Chappell, St Albans long-throw specialist, launched a trademark throw deep into the area and slack marking by the Bromley rearguard allowed Kaloczi to profit with a header into the net at the far post.
Bromley started the second half in much the same vein as the first, within three minutes of the restart Welch had to be at his best to keep out Ademola’s header. Joseph-Dubois then had a fierce drive deflected wide. However Bromley were not to be denied and in the 52nd minute Danny Waldren’s towering header from a Harry Grant cross put the ravens back in front. Now firmly on top Moses Admeola missed his opportunity to stretch the lead minutes later when he poked his shot wide from a fantastic Udoji cross.
Bromley’s profligacy was to be punished once again as Lee Chappell swung in a free kick that Ben Martin was able to guide into the far corner of the Bromley goal and restore parity to the scorelines once again. All night Bromley’s rearguard had demonstrated an inability to deal with set pieces, that they conceded from another one was not entirely a surprise.
As the match entered the last 25 minutes both sides fashioned chances to win it, Harry Grant should have done better when well set inside the area, however he snatched at the opportunity and side footed his chance wastefully over the bar. Danny Waldren had a half volley cleared off the line whilst sandwiched in between both opportunities Kaloczi had another header cleared off the line, courtesy of another St Albans corner, by Joe Anderson.
At the death Jamie Slabber had a chance to win it for Bromley but his shot was headed off the line as a breathless game finally came to an end.
St Albans City: Joe Welch, John Kyriacou, Lee Chappell, James Kaloczi, Ben Martin, Tom Ward, Charlie Gorman, Lee Clarke, John Frendo, Loick Pires (Sean Shields 76), Geoff Mitchell (Steve Wales 85).
Subs not used: David Keenleyside, Danny Green, Kayode Bola
Goals: James Kaloczi 44, Ben Martin 59
Bromley: Seb Brown, Ugo Udoji, Joe Anderson, Ali Fuseini, Jack Holland, Adam Bailey-Dennis, Pierre Joseph-Dubois, Danny Waldren, Louis Dennis (Jamie Slabber 58), Moses Ademola (Adam Birchall 75), Harry Grant.
Subs not used: CJ Williams, Paul Agu, Damian Scannell
Goals: Louis Dennis 34, Danny Waldren 52
Booked: Harry Grant 38
Referee: Mr Neil Hair
Attendance: 403