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Boro returned to league action with a visit to promoted Bromley FC and the excellent Hayes Lane ground. Bromley are obviously a club aiming high with excellent ‘off the field’ facilities, an attractive ‘proper’ football ground coupled with a capable squad of players; this was going to be another test of The Sports early season form and unbeaten record.
Matt Crabb returned to the starting 11, Jamie Day returning to the bench where Ben Austin joined him following his return to action in the midweek friendly victory over Reading University. Bromley lined-up with some familiar names in the squad; Duku, Moore and Kadi all ex-Rooks.
Boro started slowly as at Hayes & Yeading United, only Matt Smart testing Andy Walker in the home goal. That said Bromley were limited to off target efforts, mostly from distance before Boro began to take control. Jay Lovett, Paul Armstrong and Pat Harding combined well on 10 minutes for the captain to deliver a right-wing cross for Matt Crabb to fire over from the 18 yard box. Gareth Williams was proving to be a thorn in the Boro side with his lively approach; the No.9 drawing a last minute block from Darren Baker on 18 minutes; the sting in the shot removed allowing Lee Hook to gather. On 19 minutes Boro took the lead. A left-sided delivery into the area was challenged by Andy Atkin. The ball dropped to the waiting Harding who rifled the ball low past Walker for 1-0.
Williams attempted to drag his side back into the competition; his low cross finding a clutch of yellow shirts in the area only, support very slow in arriving. Boro were dominant for the remainder of the half with both flanks providing excellent deliveries but the 2nd goal would not come. Then with the referee finding 3 minutes of injury time in the 1st half The Lilywhites struck back; Williams again involved. He kept the ball alive on the bye-line wide left and managed to cross low into the 6 yard box. Garath McCleary made a strong run into the box and narrowly beat Hook to the ball for an equaliser the hosts never looked like getting, 1-1 the half-time score.
The 2nd half started with Boro determined to reestablish both their superiority and lead, Lovett striking over from distance following good approach play and Smart unlucky not to score from close range after a driven cross from Crabb. On the hour The Sports scored their 2nd. Excellent possession finally saw Armstrong head the ball across the 6 yard box from the bye-line for Ramsay to nod the ball home from close range under strong pressure from defence and keeper; the ball finally bouncing high into the net. 2-1.
Bromley made 2 substitutions in an attempt to get back into the game and No 17, Ali Chaaban, proved a handful for the remainder of the game. Crabb had a goal bound right-foot effort blocked and Atkin pulled a fine save from Walker after a slide-rule pass split Bromley wide open at the back. On 75 minutes Bromley had the ball in the net only for the linesman to rule offside in the build up and Hook was forced to climb magnificently to punch clear a decent free-kick delivery as Bromley attempted to wind up the pressure. Garry and Nick introduced fresh legs to counter the home dominance and with Bromley pushing on Boro broke to great effect. Ramsay drew another fine save from Walker before in the 6th minute of added time the No 9. M-O-M, working tirelessly all game, held the ball up wide right. Jamie Day made a run to the near post but Scott played the ball across the box to to the late arriving Nathan Crabb. Nathans 1st time effort was blocked but the ball fell kindly and he smashed the ball high into the net giving Walker no chance and opened his account for The Sports in fine style.
At the final whistle it was apparent Boro had again taken a large following away, and as they stayed to show their appreciation they were no doubt reflecting on another excellent performance from their side.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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