The UNITS took on established Prem outfit Bromley at Brown Westhead. Again we were left very thin on the ground only having 2 players on the bench as we went with
Mala, Danny, Brownie, Eggy, Kie, Newt's, Baker, Coco, Ginge, Ross & Hunter - Subs were Turner & Acer
We set up with a 4-2-3-1 shape and massive credit to the UNITS as everybody took their instructions on board and took the game to Bromley from the off. We were moving the ball well and keeping our shape without the ball and after being on top for 15 minutes we finally took the lead when Brownie played a lovely through ball to Hunter who broke the offside trap and slid the ball past the keeper to give the UNITS a deserved lead
Mala remained largely untested as we were giving Bromley no time on the ball and when we had it we were breaking with regularity, Coco especially finding space in the "free role" and Ross & Ginge asking questions from wide positions
Alas on 25 minutes Bromley got level when Hunter was clattered from behind, a blatant foul only for the referee to continue with play, Bromley broke and leveled up the game, a very poor and a very costly error from the official, the first of many!
The UNITS were rocked on their heels somewhat and Bromley seized on this to go 2-1 up when we failed to clear our lines and they bundled home. However on 40 minutes we drew level again, this time from a half cleared free kick Hunter fired the ball back into the box and Ross did well to steer the ball home from 8 yards. There was still time for Hunter to have a free kick in a dangerous position blocked as we came in all square 2-2
Cuzer was full of praise for the boys at half time, the work rate, application and movement was excellent and there was a strong case for us to be in front at HT
Bromley started the 2nd half more lively, no doubt on the end of a few choice words from their gaffer but again we were defending well and still asking questions of them every time we had possession. On 65 minutes they got their noses in front when after good play down our right their striker did well to cut in and fire past Mala
The UNITS were then dealt a hammer blow with the impressive Brownie feeling his hamstring and we had to have a major re-shuffle due to no defensive options on the bench, Acer coming on for his debut with Baker having to fill in at the back
On 70 minutes we conceded a soft goal from a corner when we never tracked the Bromley centre half who steered home at the front post, we then almost gave ourselves a lifeline when Newt's did well to pick out Acer at the far post but his header from 6 yards sailed inches wide of the post with the keeper stranded
With the game now stretched and the UNITS trying to get back into the game Bromley finally showed their Premiership class and picked off a tiring UNITS with ease in the last 15 minutes, adding 3 more goals and forcing Mala into a couple of good saves to give the scoreline a rather unfair and lopsided look as it finished 7-2 to the visitors
All in all a very harsh scoreline to swallow after playing so well for over an hour but from 65 minutes onwards we saw the best of Bromley and the worst of the UNITS as we conceded soft goals and heads dropped a little, still a lot of positives to take form that first hour and we must build on those in the cup next weekend
Man of the match went to Hunter for the 2nd week running who led the line well and again dropped into midfield when we had to re-shuffle and used the ball well and made things tick through midfield
