Bromley made sure that they ended their pre-season undefeated by beating Charlton Athletic U23s 4-1. 

The game started in the worst possible way for The Ravens. Charlton U23s midfielder Johl Powell hit a thunderous effort from distance which left Mark Cousins dumbfounded and handed the visitors the lead. Bromley’s first real attempt on goal was by James Alabi. The forward turned his marker but shot straight at Nathan Harvey.

As the game reached the 20 minute mark, Alabi was in the thick of the action once again, this time connecting to a Jude Arthur’s cross, to which he headed over the bar. Bromley kept on pressing, as Louis Dennis’ free kick nestled just wide. Chris Bush replaced fellow defender Joe Partington in the latter stages of the first half. James Vennings, from 20 yards, hit a free kick that was heading into the top corner, to which Cousins did well to palm away. Luke Coulson then delivered an inch-perfect free-kick into the opposition’s penalty area, the delivery was met by Trialist A whose header produced an instinctive save from Harvey.

Another Coulson delivery saw Bush bravely throw himself at the ball, the defender saw his powerful header once again denied by Harvey. Bromley came the closest with minutes remaining of the first half, when Liam Trotter hit the bar with a thumping effort from distance following a corner. With seconds remaining of the first half, the visitors nearly doubled their lead. Defender Charlie Barker’s long range effort also hit the bar, leaving the hosts heading into half-time with plenty to think about. 

In the second half, Bromley commenced the game with real determination. Just minutes in, Alabi held the ball up well and passed to Michael Cheek, the striker’s venomous shot was brilliantly saved by the visitors substitute goalkeeper James Beadle. Minutes later, Bromley got their equaliser. A corner was delivered to Bush, whose on target header came off a Charlton defender and went straight into the back of the net. Brilliant athleticism from the defender. Following the goal, Bromley threatened once again, with Beadle saving well from Whitely’s low effort. 

In the 56th minute, Bromley took the lead. Dennis’ superb cross found Alabi, who headed the ball straight at Beadle, with the goalkeeper falling to prevent the ball from trickling over the line. 

With just over 20 minutes remaining of the game, a penalty was awarded to Bromley. Alabi was played through on goal and taken out by Beadle as he took the ball past him. Cheek stepped up and his effort was saved, but moments later it wouldn’t matter. Immediately after his miss, the ball landed to the forward inside the six yard box, following a goalmouth scramble. The striker made no mistake and swept into an empty net. 

Charlton nearly got a goal back from Mason Burstow, who shot wide following a cross from Billy French. A golden opportunity for The Addicks. As the game was nearing the final whistle,  returning Bromley player Louis Dennis sealed the victory for Bromley. An exquisite pass was played to Whitely by Sam Skeffington, the former crossed the ball into the box and Dennis finished with aplomb.    

After a successful pre-season, Bromley await the arrival of Grimsby Town in front of the BT Sport cameras at Hayes Lane. 

Bromley: 1 Mark Cousins, 2 Joe Partington (Bush), 4 Liam Trotter, 6 Trialist, 7 Luke Coulson, 8 Jude Arthurs (Skeffington), 9 Michael Cheek, 10 James Alabi (Stevenson), 11 Louis Dennis, 17 Byron Webster, 18 Corey Whitely (Fisher)

Unused Subs: 13 Trialist (GK), 21 Courtney Duffus, 25 George Alexander

Report by Alex Exadactylos