Last Wednesday saw a mixed performance from the Blues bring a point back from Thamesmead Town.

Thamesmead showed real commitment and desire and a physicality but coupled with a large portion of indiscipline and gamesmanship. This was something that the Blues struggled to deal with. On the flipside after some words at half time they showed some character to improve the performance as well as pull back a 3-goal deficit to return to Hayes Lane with a point.

On just 3 minutes, Bromley keeper Amadeo Sappleton produced a fine reaction save, tipping the ball over as Thamesmead pressed early. Bromley then went close twice; on 10 minutes Kelvin Ogboe put Daniel Ajakayie in who rounded the keeper but his touch took him too wide. Then on 14 mins Dwight Barnett rose well from a corner but his header went over.

Thamesmead went in front on 15 mins when a right wing cross was turned in at the near post. Nine minutes later it was 2-0 when Sappleton spilled a shot from the edge of the box and the Thamesmead striker was quickest to react to the rebound. On 28 mins it was 3-0 when Sappleton lost out to an unrushing forward.

Bromley’s comeback started on 32 minutes when Samuel Asante’s through ball found Ogboe who produced an excellent first time finish. On 43 minutes the Thamesmead centre back tipped Louie Fox’s strike round the post to earn himself a red card. Ogboe took the penalty but the keeper saved however Asante was sharpist to the follow up to make it 3-2.

The half time break gave some well needed time to re group and get some key messages across. On the hour Joel Vian and Shamal Edwards came into the game from the bench as Bromley looked for an equaliser. It arrived on 73 mins when Edwards strike was well saved but Daniel Ajakayie fired home the rebound.

At the other end Sappleton made a brave and fine near post save, taking a blatant kick in the process. Bromley pressed but couldn’t find a way past a determined Thamesmead defence.

A hard lesson that at this level you cannot afford to take that long to get your performance together or turn around a 3 goal deficit. On the plus side, showing the character in rescuing a point and individuals pulling their performances together were both positives.

Onwards and upwards.

Man of the Match: Ethan Frederick
Goals: Kelvin Ogboe, Samuel Asante, Daniel Ajakayie

Steve Baker
Academy Manager

Man of the Match: Ethan Frederick
Goals: S.Asante, K.Ogboe, D.Ajakayie