Battling Bromley claim FA Cup prize

A hard fought victory over neighbours Dartford has given Bromley the chance of a money-spinning first round FA Cup tie. Gareth Williams Pinpoint free kick earned the Lilywhites their place in Sunday’s first round draw, the third time they have reached the first round in five seasons. Hakeen Araba’s well taken penalty had given the visitors a 28^th minute lead, before Jack Pallen snatched an equaliser for the Darts just three minutes later. But Williams’ superb strike just past the hour was enough as Mark Goldberg’s men resiliently held out and resisted Dartford’s attacking threat to send 350 Bromley supporters home happy and eagerly anticipating Sunday’s draw.
      
With well over 1500 fans packed inside Princes Park, the drama of the FA Cup had clearly had its desired effect, as the atmospheric surroundings conveyed a hostile environment. The anxiety and tension had clearly filtered down onto the pitch, as for the first twenty minutes neither side could wrestle control as both defences stood firm. With five bookings already dished out by referee Matthew Buonassisi you got the impression that an ill-timed tackle could result in the spark that the game desperately needed. Lee Burns, already booked, was the man to ignite a drab affair by clumsily tripping Williams in the penalty area leaving the referee with no option but to award Bromley a penalty. With the away support baying for a red card the Dartford defender was lucky to remain on the pitch. Bromley’s lone front man, Araba coolly tucked away the penalty to break the deadlock and give the visitors a much needed breakthrough. This seemed to settle the Lilywhites as they began to dictate against an aggrieved Dartford side. However from a Bromley corner, Dartford muscled an equaliser after a quick breakaway saw Danny Harris’ shot parried by Bromley goalkeeper Tom Forecast straight into the path of Pallen who levelled for the hosts with an accurate left footed finish. An exhilarating end to a cagey first half had provided us with no answer as to who would strive into the first round of English Football’s most prominent competition.

Neither side were able to fully obtain control during the first period, in comparison to the beginning of the first half, the second half began in a similar fashion with both teams unable to pose any attacking threat. With just over an hour played it was Dartford’s opportunity to stamp their authority on proceedings. Aaron Rhule’s needless trip on Ryan Hayes led to the referee pointing to the spot for the second time in the match. With Rhule still in disbelief, Hayes struck the post with his spot kick sparing the blushes of the Bromley midfielder. With Dartford squandering their best chance of taking the lead, Bromley began to press looking to restore their advantage. Liam Harwood’s downward header agonisingly drifted wide of the far post, leaving both sets of supporters predicting a replay. A piece of individual brilliance was required in order to settle the match over 90 minutes. With fourteen minutes remaining Williams provided the match’s moment of brilliance he stepped up and effortlessly curled a free kick into the corner of the net to send the travelling support into raptures. A replay was no longer on the visitor’s agenda, as Dartford began to lay siege to the Bromley goal. Forecast’s excellent save to deny Tom Bonner in injury time was the perfect end to a near perfect day for the Lilywhites.