Sat 19th April: Premier Division
Bromley Green 0
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Bearsted 4
G.East
S.Smith
S.Brockman
S.Groom
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This was a particularly satisfying reward for a group of players who had stuck together throughout a season that at times had been very difficult. Playing against a team also finding themselves at the wrong end of the table, the scoreline did not really reflect the balance of play and had Bromley Green been as clinical in their finishing as Bearsted it may have been different. Early play was relatively even with limited scoring opportunities, the first maybe when Gary Mickelborough's overhead kick forced a full length save from goalkeeper Jason Reeves. However the warning signs were there with twenty minutes gone when Lee Fincham found Gary Pritchard on the right to cross into the path of Gary East only for him to be denied by the timely interception of keeper Craig Smith. However within a minute East got his reward when another Pritchard deep cross allowed him to steer the ball home from 6 yards. At the other end Glen Mackett went close with a free kick and Tom Luckett may have done better with a shot passing narrowly wide. The score was further increased on the half hour, again when a Pritchard cross found East to lay the ball to Steve Smith to make no mistake from close range. The score remained the same at the break only courtesy of a great one handed save from Reeves denying Matt Wedge with a header from under the bar with only minutes remaining.
The second half saw a contest where Bromley had much of the play but were always vulnerable to the quick breaks usually involving the darting runs of Stuart Brockman and the threat of partner Smith up front. However it was the away side's defence that had to be at its' best as they had to deal with a succession of corners and goalmouth action, seeing Chris Petts going close and Mickelborough again not making the most of a great opportunity after getting around the back only to see his angled drive missing the target by 2 yards. As is always the case though, it is goals that count and the lead was further increased midway through the half when Gary East broke down the left to send in a cross which hit the arm of Dan Cheeseman for the referee to award a penalty and allow Stuart Brockman to step up and score from the spot. A minute later it was four when this time Brockman's shot was parried out by Smith only to find the incoming Steve Groom who made now mistake in tucking the ball away into the net. Scant consolation may have come on the afternoon had a great close range header by Petts gone in rather than hitting an upright. With the result now a certainty and with only 15 minutes remaining it was fitting that manager Dalbir Dayal came off of the bench to mark his last game. Indeed two chances did fall to him but sadly a fairy tale end was not to be, but certainly he must take great heart from all the effort and commitment he has put into the past three years.
Allan Hefferon - Bearsted FC |
