Bromley FC – End of Season Review 2008/09
Season 2008/09 was once again an eventful affair at Hayes Lane, often more for the goings on off the field than on it, but by the end of it the regulars at Hayes Lane were very happy with the efforts of the young squad which comfortably secured Blue Square South status and played some nice stuff on the way.
The season began with great expectations once again and the pre-season games had promised much with new high profile players Adrian Toppin, Karl Murray, Louis Fazackerley, Warren McBean & Rob Gillman adding to the existing squad, but on the opening day Maidenhead United came to Hayes Lane and comfortably left with all three points winning 2-1. Three days later we scrapped a point at Bishops Stortford and the realisation among the fans was that this was going to be a struggle. A fantastic Louis Fazackerley free kick saw us win at Havant & Waterlooville and lift the mood followed by a 5-1 thrashing of Eastleigh, but then with injuries starting to mount up we lost at Wimbledon and again failed to perform at home losing to 2-0 Worcester City.
September was to see results take a further dip with only one win at home to Weston- Super-Mare, we also exited the Setanta Shield at Bishops Stortford and more disastrously the FA Cup losing 1-0 to AFC Hornchurch losing the club much need income with the worst showing from a Bromley team so far this season. The fall out from this result shaped the rest of the season and began a series of budget cuts and departures of senior players. With owner Jerry Dolke & Manager Mark Goldberg deciding to go with youth and enthusiasm instead of throwing more money at the problem.
Danny Hockton was the first player to leave soon followed by Adrian Toppin, Steve Clark and Adam Everitt as October saw us record one remarkable 1-0 win at Chelmsford, but also lose three times and only draw at struggling Bognor Regis Town. Karl Murray & Jay May went out on loan before eventually leaving and we were knocked out of the London Senior Cup by Hendon on penalties after leading 2-0 with six minutes to go in normal time! Louis Fazackerley joined Welling and Donal O’Sullivan also left.
November began with another home defeat to St Albans City before we recorded three excellent wins in a row to lift relegation worries two of tem at Twerton Park. 3-1 away to Bath City & 3-0 against Team Bath at the same venue a week later followed with a midweek home win over Hayes & Yeading. The young players brought in to replace the bigger names stepped up and gave their all and Warren McBean started to find the net regularly, but they still didn’t quite have enough to keep us in the FA Trophy where we fell at the first time of asking again 1-0 away to Swindon Supermarine.
December was a month of two halves, we won comfortably at Fisher Athletic and knocked Dartford out of the Kent Senior Cup, but then got out classed at Maidenhead and at home to Welling losing 4-1 and 1-3 where our young lads were exposed by two very impressive sides on much bigger budgets.
2009 began with another trouncing at the hands of Welling by the same score line at Park View Road with Louis Fazackerley inevitably scoring. Nic McDonell left the club citing many reasons such as the new style of play and saying he was taking a break from the game. A decent run of three games saw us draw with Havant thanks to a late goal, beat St Albans 5-4 in an incredible game at Clarence Park and then edge out Dorchester 1-0 at home, but this was followed up by three defeats. Moses Swaibu joined Lincoln City under a bit of a cloud, but he did go on to be a regular starter in the League Two side.
After a beak for snow February saw us progress to the semi final of the Kent Senior Cup with a 2-0 win at Maidstone and we picked up seven league points from nine to put a gap between us and the bottom three.
March began with another win over Fisher, but then we once again stuttered and losing 4-1 at home to Braintree with Hockton scoring twice and 2-1 at West-Super-Mare. With a win over Stortford and a draw against Bath we went into the Kent Senior Cup Semi Final hoping for a strong performance and setting up a cup final for the end of the season, but Whitstable gave us a lesson in hard work and desire going 3-2 up in 20minutes and then hanging on to win 3-2 and effectively end our season.
April saw defeats at Hayes & Eastleigh with one or two players seemingly already on holiday before we grabbed the headlines with a 2-2 draw at home to AFC Wimbledon thanks to a spectacular, but controversial late 40yard lob by Ryan Hall. We won our last home game of the season against the doomed Team Bath 4-0 before going down to Dorchester on the last day and losing 2-1 after taking a first minute lead thanks to a Warren McBean penalty his 21st goal of the season.
Rob Gillman won the Supporters & Committee Player of the Season awards with Ryan Hall picking up the manager Mark Goldberg’s vote. Young Keeper Gareth Williams amazingly played every minute of every game even when obviously carrying an injury and 17 year old Harry Harding proved to be a valuable first team player after stepping up from the Youth set up. The young collection of players who came in after the Autumn cuts never quite found the consistency to mount a play off challenge, but they did make sure we were never under any real threat of relegation and showed up the expensive flops of the summer by always giving 100%.
Col.
11th May 2009.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Dorchester Town 2 Bromley 1
Dorchester Town 2 Bromley 1 – BSS – 25/04/09
Bromley’s season came to a slightly frustrating end in Dorset on Saturday as they were out muscled by a Dorchester side who simply needed the points more to secure their BSS status for next season.
The Ravens took the lead inside the first minute when Warren McBean was floored in the box and then got up to score the penalty his 21st league goal of the season. Ryan Hall went close soon after before the home side rallied and put Bromley under pressure. Jacob Erskine fired over before Jamie Gleeson equalised on 20mins when he latched on to a good low cross from Ivan Forbes. Dorchester then took the lead on 27mins when a deep cross into the box saw Rob Gillman pushed into Gareth Williams and with both men down Tom Mitchell headed home for 2-1. Gillman had to go off injured and Bromley missed their captain and had to reshuffle at the back.
The second half saw The Magpies make use of the windy conditions and batter Bromley with set pieces and big balls into the box. Williams was knocked over several times by imposing centre back Ashley Vickers and required treatment on more than one occasion but the Referee Mr Knight didn’t see fit to act. Phil Walsh fired over twice and Erskine forced a save before Bromley had a decent spell of possession. McBean forced a save from Gareth Stewart in the home goal and he did brilliantly to tip over Ali Chaaban’s long range and Jerome Sobers hea
der drive soon after. Late on McBean was denied by a fantastic last ditched block from Jake Smeeton and from the following corner Bromley were denied a clear penalty when Vickers handled the ball in the area only for Mr Knight to wave play on and the home side hung on to secure the victory that saw them finish fourth bottom above Thurrock and safe.Quote for the game, ‘Give the boy some steak and porridge and a summer in the gym!’ – Mash.
Bromley: Williams, Dalhouse, Corneille, Sobers, Gillman, Chaaban, Harding, Beaney, Hall, McBean, Stone. Subs: Dolby, Robinson, Pakasa, Davis, Norval.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Bromley 4 Team Bath 0
Bromley 4 Team Bath 0 – BSS - 18/04/09
Bromley’s final home game of the season saw them run out comfortable winners over a side who will cease to play senior football at the end of next week, but it was still a nice way to say good bye to Hayes Lane for the summer.
The first half saw Bromley start well with Ali Chaaban causing the visitors problems down the right. The Ravens took the lead on 15mins when Warren McBean set up Kenny Beaney who sent the ball sailing over Jake Meredith from outside the box. The Students then had a good spell of pressure, but they lacked the final touch in front of goal. Late on Bromley came back and Theo Davis had an effort saved by Meredith, but the score remained 1-0 at the half.
The second half saw Bromley move up a gear and Team Bath struggle to cope at times, McBean made it 2-0 within 30seconds latching on to a long ball and finishing coolly one on one. The Students then had two chances both comfortably saved by Gareth Williams before Chaaban set up McBean with a low cross for 3-0 on 61mins. The scoring was then completed on 68mins when Adrian Stone latched on to a Liam Norval through ball and lobbed Meredith from the edge of the box for 4-0. As the game drifted McBean had one chance to get his hatrick, but it was saved by Meredith and the only other talking point was when the play was stopped for a head injury to a Student and Bromley returned it to the away team despite having been attacking near their box to ironic applause all round.
Quote for the game, ‘Garvo, you’ve even managed to shock me!’ – Rob.
Bromley: Williams, Norval, Fray, Dalhouse, Gillman, Davis, Beaney, Hall, Chaaban, McBean, Stone. Subs: Harding, Pakasa, Dolby, Manning, Obaze.
Bromley’s final home game of the season saw them run out comfortable winners over a side who will cease to play senior football at the end of next week, but it was still a nice way to say good bye to Hayes Lane for the summer.
The first half saw Bromley start well with Ali Chaaban causing the visitors problems down the right. The Ravens took the lead on 15mins when Warren McBean set up Kenny Beaney who sent the ball sailing over Jake Meredith from outside the box. The Students then had a good spell of pressure, but they lacked the final touch in front of goal. Late on Bromley came back and Theo Davis had an effort saved by Meredith, but the score remained 1-0 at the half.
The second half saw Bromley move up a gear and Team Bath struggle to cope at times, McBean made it 2-0 within 30seconds latching on to a long ball and finishing coolly one on one. The Students then had two chances both comfortably saved by Gareth Williams before Chaaban set up McBean with a low cross for 3-0 on 61mins. The scoring was then completed on 68mins when Adrian Stone latched on to a Liam Norval through ball and lobbed Meredith from the edge of the box for 4-0. As the game drifted McBean had one chance to get his hatrick, but it was saved by Meredith and the only other talking point was when the play was stopped for a head injury to a Student and Bromley returned it to the away team despite having been attacking near their box to ironic applause all round.
Quote for the game, ‘Garvo, you’ve even managed to shock me!’ – Rob.
Bromley: Williams, Norval, Fray, Dalhouse, Gillman, Davis, Beaney, Hall, Chaaban, McBean, Stone. Subs: Harding, Pakasa, Dolby, Manning, Obaze.
Monday, 13 April 2009
Bromley 2 AFC Wimbledon 2
Bromley 2 AfcWimbledon 2 – BSS – 13/04/09
Bromley earned a remarkable point against the champions elect at Hayes Lane on Easter Monday thanks to a controversial late equaliser from Ryan Hall.
The first half began with Wimbledon on top and asking all the questions, The Dons took the lead on 2mins when Elliott Godfrey crashed home a fine effort from the edge of the box after Bromley failed to clear their lines from a corner. Bromley were only a threat from occasional breaks which broke down with the lack of support given to the front two who worked tirelessly. Wimbledon had several chances to increase their score with Aaron Dalhouse clearing off the line, Chris Hussey going close twice and Danny Kedwell firing over when one on one with Gareth Williams, but they had to settle for 1-0 at the break.
The second half saw Bromley really start to fight back with Ali Chaaban, Ryan Hall and Adrian Stone causing The Dons defence real problems. The hard work paid off on 55mins when Hall found space on the edge of the box and shot past James Pullen for 1-1. Chaaban, Stone, Hall and sub Warren McBean all forced saves from Pullen as The Ravens started to rattle the nervous looking title challengers. The best chance for Bromley saw Hall cross for McBean who slipped in the area as the ball approached and the ball bounced behind him and away to safety. A defensive substitution saw Liam Norval replace Chaaban and gave The Dins the attacking initiative which they took on 88mins when a deep cross fell to Jon Main who crashed home what looked like a late winner for 2-1. Then came the talking point with Jay Conroy appearing to be injured Rob Gillman gave the ball to a Wimbledon player who kicked it off for a throw on. After a spell of treatment to The Dons man the ball was thrown to Hall who then hit it on the volley from 45yards out towards to oppositions Keeper, but to every body’s astonishment it sailed over Pullen and went in off the post for 2-2 on 90mins. With the home fans delirious and Hall celebrating the Wimbledon players and management went mad, but after 5mins or so of arguing Bromley refused to let Wimbledon score and held on to the hard earned point.
After the game the arguments on the pitch continued and a small number of visiting fans then broke down advertising hoardings and made threats of violence outside the ground, but the result stood although the outrage of all connected to Wimbledon will go on for a long time until they secure promotion.
Quote for the game, ‘I’m gonna change my vote for player of the season!’ – Mikey.
Bromley: Williams, Dalhouse, Frey, Sobers, Gillman, Robinson, Beaney, Hall, Chaaban, Stone, Dolby. Subs: McBean, I’Anson, Norval, Pakasa, Manning.
Bromley earned a remarkable point against the champions elect at Hayes Lane on Easter Monday thanks to a controversial late equaliser from Ryan Hall.
The first half began with Wimbledon on top and asking all the questions, The Dons took the lead on 2mins when Elliott Godfrey crashed home a fine effort from the edge of the box after Bromley failed to clear their lines from a corner. Bromley were only a threat from occasional breaks which broke down with the lack of support given to the front two who worked tirelessly. Wimbledon had several chances to increase their score with Aaron Dalhouse clearing off the line, Chris Hussey going close twice and Danny Kedwell firing over when one on one with Gareth Williams, but they had to settle for 1-0 at the break.
The second half saw Bromley really start to fight back with Ali Chaaban, Ryan Hall and Adrian Stone causing The Dons defence real problems. The hard work paid off on 55mins when Hall found space on the edge of the box and shot past James Pullen for 1-1. Chaaban, Stone, Hall and sub Warren McBean all forced saves from Pullen as The Ravens started to rattle the nervous looking title challengers. The best chance for Bromley saw Hall cross for McBean who slipped in the area as the ball approached and the ball bounced behind him and away to safety. A defensive substitution saw Liam Norval replace Chaaban and gave The Dins the attacking initiative which they took on 88mins when a deep cross fell to Jon Main who crashed home what looked like a late winner for 2-1. Then came the talking point with Jay Conroy appearing to be injured Rob Gillman gave the ball to a Wimbledon player who kicked it off for a throw on. After a spell of treatment to The Dons man the ball was thrown to Hall who then hit it on the volley from 45yards out towards to oppositions Keeper, but to every body’s astonishment it sailed over Pullen and went in off the post for 2-2 on 90mins. With the home fans delirious and Hall celebrating the Wimbledon players and management went mad, but after 5mins or so of arguing Bromley refused to let Wimbledon score and held on to the hard earned point.
After the game the arguments on the pitch continued and a small number of visiting fans then broke down advertising hoardings and made threats of violence outside the ground, but the result stood although the outrage of all connected to Wimbledon will go on for a long time until they secure promotion.
Quote for the game, ‘I’m gonna change my vote for player of the season!’ – Mikey.
Bromley: Williams, Dalhouse, Frey, Sobers, Gillman, Robinson, Beaney, Hall, Chaaban, Stone, Dolby. Subs: McBean, I’Anson, Norval, Pakasa, Manning.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Bromley 1 Bath City 1
Bromley 1 Bath City 1 – BSS – 28/03/09
Bromley shared the points with their visitors from Somerset in an entertaining game where Bath probably had the best of the play, but Bromley always look a threat on the break and could have won it late on.
Bath started well with a spell of pressure that saw Jerome Sobers clearing off the line and Gareth Williams making a fine save from Stuart Douglas. Bromley improved and came back into the game with the visitors full backs happy to clear the ball as far out of the ground when under the slightest pressure. Bath went close twice more before the break with Darren Edwards heading against the post and Adam Connolly having a fierce shot tipped over by Williams.
Bromley got the perfect start to the second half when Ali Chabban’s shot was parried by Paul Evans into the path of Harry Harding who found the net for the 17 year olds first senior team goal. The Ravens couldn’t hold onto the lead though and Bath were level on 54mins when Bromley failed to clear their lines from a corner and Mark Badman found the net with a bicycle kick through a crowd of players. Darren Edwards was denied by Williams soon after before Bromley went on to dominate the rest of the game. Mark Goldberg switched to 3-5-2 and this time it worked. Ryan Hall went close twice, Warren McBean hit the bar from close range, Adrian Stone had a shot which appeared to be blocked by the defenders hands and Ashley Robinson fired just over, but there were no more goals and the game ended level which was about fair.
Quote for the game, ‘There’s 600 Wimbledon fans coming down for the Whitstable game to buy tickets!’ – Mikey. .
Bromley: Williams, Norval, Dolby, Gillman, Sobers, Hall, I’Anosn, Harding, Chabban, Stone, McBean. Subs: Davis, Corneille, Pakasa, Robinson, Manning
Bromley shared the points with their visitors from Somerset in an entertaining game where Bath probably had the best of the play, but Bromley always look a threat on the break and could have won it late on.
Bath started well with a spell of pressure that saw Jerome Sobers clearing off the line and Gareth Williams making a fine save from Stuart Douglas. Bromley improved and came back into the game with the visitors full backs happy to clear the ball as far out of the ground when under the slightest pressure. Bath went close twice more before the break with Darren Edwards heading against the post and Adam Connolly having a fierce shot tipped over by Williams.
Bromley got the perfect start to the second half when Ali Chabban’s shot was parried by Paul Evans into the path of Harry Harding who found the net for the 17 year olds first senior team goal. The Ravens couldn’t hold onto the lead though and Bath were level on 54mins when Bromley failed to clear their lines from a corner and Mark Badman found the net with a bicycle kick through a crowd of players. Darren Edwards was denied by Williams soon after before Bromley went on to dominate the rest of the game. Mark Goldberg switched to 3-5-2 and this time it worked. Ryan Hall went close twice, Warren McBean hit the bar from close range, Adrian Stone had a shot which appeared to be blocked by the defenders hands and Ashley Robinson fired just over, but there were no more goals and the game ended level which was about fair.
Quote for the game, ‘There’s 600 Wimbledon fans coming down for the Whitstable game to buy tickets!’ – Mikey. .
Bromley: Williams, Norval, Dolby, Gillman, Sobers, Hall, I’Anosn, Harding, Chabban, Stone, McBean. Subs: Davis, Corneille, Pakasa, Robinson, Manning
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Bromley 1 Bishop's Stortford 0
Bromley 1 Bishops Stortford 0 – BSS – 24/03/09
Bromley got back to winning ways with a single goal victory against an in-form Stortford side who dominated the play in the second half, but couldn’t get past The Ravens defence.
The game started with both sides having chances Green & Wright going close for the visitors and McBean & Sobers doing likewise for Bromley. McBean had two more chances as the half went on but neither side really looked like scoring and the ball spent more time above the floodlights than on the grass.
The second half saw Stortford dominate long spells of play, but the home defence stood up well to the pressure and Bromley looked dangerous on the break. Stone hit the post with a great effort before McBean put The Ravens in front on the hour. Stortford Eyre failed to grasp a long ball and McBean headed the ball away from his clutched before bringing it down and finding the corner of the net for 1-0. Stortford had another spell on dominance with Williams making two great saves from Prestedge & Harris. Mark Goldberg made some defensive substitutions and switched to 4-5-1, but they still posed a threat on the break with Corneille & Stone both going close before the end. This was a hard thought ground out win with Harding & Sobers having exceptional games.
Quote for the game, ‘I thought you were a good footballing side Stortford!’ – Mark.
Bromley: Williams, Norval, Dolby, Gillman, Sobers, Hall, I’Anosn, Harding, Chabban, Stone, McBean. Subs: Davis, Corneille, Pakasa, Robinson, Manning.
Bromley got back to winning ways with a single goal victory against an in-form Stortford side who dominated the play in the second half, but couldn’t get past The Ravens defence.
The game started with both sides having chances Green & Wright going close for the visitors and McBean & Sobers doing likewise for Bromley. McBean had two more chances as the half went on but neither side really looked like scoring and the ball spent more time above the floodlights than on the grass.
The second half saw Stortford dominate long spells of play, but the home defence stood up well to the pressure and Bromley looked dangerous on the break. Stone hit the post with a great effort before McBean put The Ravens in front on the hour. Stortford Eyre failed to grasp a long ball and McBean headed the ball away from his clutched before bringing it down and finding the corner of the net for 1-0. Stortford had another spell on dominance with Williams making two great saves from Prestedge & Harris. Mark Goldberg made some defensive substitutions and switched to 4-5-1, but they still posed a threat on the break with Corneille & Stone both going close before the end. This was a hard thought ground out win with Harding & Sobers having exceptional games.
Quote for the game, ‘I thought you were a good footballing side Stortford!’ – Mark.
Bromley: Williams, Norval, Dolby, Gillman, Sobers, Hall, I’Anosn, Harding, Chabban, Stone, McBean. Subs: Davis, Corneille, Pakasa, Robinson, Manning.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Bromley 1 Brantree Town 4
Bromley 1 Braintree Town 4 – BSS – 14/03/09
Danny Hokcton returned to Hayes Lane with his new club Braintree and scored two well taken goals as the Essex side blew a disjointed Bromley away in the first half.
Lining up 3-5-2 and with an injured Keeper Bromley really didn’t settle at all and were behind after 10mins when Hockton was left unmarked at a corner and headed home for 1-0. Braintree were 2-0 up 4mins later when Bromley’s defence failed to clear their lines and Andy Porter crashed home from just outside the box. The Ravens finally mustered some resistance with Ryan Hall and Luke I’Anson having chances, but the game was all over on 33mins when Hockton latched on to a ball down the middle and finished well for 3-0. Fellow former Raven Gareth Williams hit the bar soon after while Bromley had one late chance when Ali Chabban forced a save from one time Bromley Keeper Craig Holloway. Just to cap off a miserable first half top scorer Warren McBean went down injured and had to be replaced during the break.
Mark Goldberg changed the formation in the second half moving to a back four and there was a marked improvement from the kick off. Sub Ashley Robinson forced a save from Holloway, Jerome Sobers went close and Chabban was also foiled by Holloway at a corner before the ball was scrambled away. The Ravens injured Keeper Gareth Williams saved well from his name sake and Hockton fluffed a couple of opportunities for a hatrick, but The Irons did make it 4-0 on 78mins when Louis Riddle curled in a fantastic free kick from 25yards out after Bromley had given the ball away from a goal kick. Robinson was the one real positive for Bromley in the second half and he had one good effort saved before he finally found the net in injury time finishing well through a crowd of players. Hall then also had a good shot saved by Holloway before the final whistle came and Braintree’s former Bromley contingent could celebrate their victorious return.
Quote for the game, ‘How can you start a game with an injured keeper?’ – Mikey.
Bromley: Williams, Norval, Dolby, Zanzi, Sobers, Gillman, I’Anson, Hall, Beaney, McBean, Chabban. Subs: Robinson, Harding, Stone, Davis, Pakasa.
Danny Hokcton returned to Hayes Lane with his new club Braintree and scored two well taken goals as the Essex side blew a disjointed Bromley away in the first half.
Lining up 3-5-2 and with an injured Keeper Bromley really didn’t settle at all and were behind after 10mins when Hockton was left unmarked at a corner and headed home for 1-0. Braintree were 2-0 up 4mins later when Bromley’s defence failed to clear their lines and Andy Porter crashed home from just outside the box. The Ravens finally mustered some resistance with Ryan Hall and Luke I’Anson having chances, but the game was all over on 33mins when Hockton latched on to a ball down the middle and finished well for 3-0. Fellow former Raven Gareth Williams hit the bar soon after while Bromley had one late chance when Ali Chabban forced a save from one time Bromley Keeper Craig Holloway. Just to cap off a miserable first half top scorer Warren McBean went down injured and had to be replaced during the break.
Mark Goldberg changed the formation in the second half moving to a back four and there was a marked improvement from the kick off. Sub Ashley Robinson forced a save from Holloway, Jerome Sobers went close and Chabban was also foiled by Holloway at a corner before the ball was scrambled away. The Ravens injured Keeper Gareth Williams saved well from his name sake and Hockton fluffed a couple of opportunities for a hatrick, but The Irons did make it 4-0 on 78mins when Louis Riddle curled in a fantastic free kick from 25yards out after Bromley had given the ball away from a goal kick. Robinson was the one real positive for Bromley in the second half and he had one good effort saved before he finally found the net in injury time finishing well through a crowd of players. Hall then also had a good shot saved by Holloway before the final whistle came and Braintree’s former Bromley contingent could celebrate their victorious return.
Quote for the game, ‘How can you start a game with an injured keeper?’ – Mikey.
Bromley: Williams, Norval, Dolby, Zanzi, Sobers, Gillman, I’Anson, Hall, Beaney, McBean, Chabban. Subs: Robinson, Harding, Stone, Davis, Pakasa.
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