In a match up between the League One leaders and thirteenth place in League Two it was the higher placed hosts who came out winners as Stevenage met Bromley for the first time since 1993 in the EFL Trophy Southern Group E.  

Andy Woodman made seven changes to the Bromley starting line up and also a change of formation as they went into the game in a 4-5-1 formation and The Ravens go toff to a lively start pressing Stevenage for the first ten minutes.

Ben Thompson sent in a dangerous cross for Kyle Cameron at the far post who sent the ball back to Idris Odtuayo who headed against the bar. Thompson, playing against his old club, then went close with a volley that hit the side netting.

Stevenage’s first chance came Dan Sweeney  had a header saved by Sam Long. After a good spell from Borough they eventually took the lead on 21 minutes when Patterson crossed for White who stroked the ball home from the edge of the area with Long unsighted by Malcolm.

Malcolm had a goal ruled out for offside soon after, before Bromley slowly came back into things.

Heading into the break, Thompson had an effort saved by Ashby-Hammond and from the corner Cameron saw his towering header cleared off the line by White to preserve the home side’s lead. 

Bromley made two changes at the break, but it was the home side who did the early pressing, Ahadme having a header saved by Long and Malcolm also going close.

Andy Woodman brought on a second striker with Nike Kabamba & Jemiah Ulomu now forming the front line and after The Ravens had weathered the storm, they came back into things, Ben Krauhaus firing over after a strong run.

Bromley eventually drew level on 68 minutes when Odutayo sent in a deep free kick from the left which Omar Sowunmi headed back across goal  for Byron Webster to volley home from six yards and make it 1-1.

Alex Stepien-Iwumene then drove the ball narrowly over from 20 yards out as Bromley looked to press for a winner, but they were dealt a huge blow when right back Corey Whitely was injured and had to go off after all the substitutes had been made.

Stevenage rallied again against the ten men and they grabbed the winner on 83 minutes when Butler crossed from the left for Ahadme to head home unmarked from close range with The Ravens defence flat footed.

The game opened up for the final few minutes, Krauhaus had a goal rued out for offside, before Long made a great save to deny Kemp with his legs when one on one.

In injury time Bromley had two final chances, Olumu had a shot skid wide off Earley and then Thompson saw a powerful drive deflected wide before time ran out for Andy Woodman’s men.  

Stevenage held on for the win and remain top of Group E with six points, with The Ravens third on two points ahead of their final group match at home to AFC Wimbledon in November.                                 

Bromley now without a win in six games, travel up to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday for a League Two match looking to get back to winning ways.   

Stevenage – Ashby-Hammond, Butler, Earley, Sweeney, Patternden, White (Kemp 79), Doherty, Patterson, Malcolm, Roberts, Roberts, Ahadme. Subs Not Used: Campbell, England, Goode, Norris, Saji, Woodford.  

Bromley – Long, Whitely, Cameron (Webster 45), Elerewe (Sowunmi 64), Odutayo, Ilunga (Umolu 61),Thompson, Stepien-Iwumene, Kruahaus, Arthurs (Hondermarck 45), Dinanga (Kabamba 61). Subs Not Used: Pinnock, Smith.   

HT 1-0 FT 2-1 
Goals – SFC White 21, Ahadme 83mins.  BFC – Webster 68mins
Referee: Mr A Swallow 

Image courtesy of Bromley FC