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 header 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.

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 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.