Bromley fight back for a point after going two goals down inside 18 minutes against Wealdstone

A slow start in their Good Friday match meant that Bromley had to settle for a draw against Wealdstone.

It has been a tough couple of weeks for the Ravens.

After losing at home to runaway league leaders Sutton United, manager Neil Smith was relieved of his duties and the interim management team oversaw defeat at Wrexham last Saturday.

On top of that, it was announced that all of Dover Athletic’s results had been expunged so Bromley found themselves in tenth spot, three places off the play-off zone.

Andy Woodman was then appointed to take the manager’s role and his first game, after just three days to work with his players, was against a club without a point or a goal in their previous four games.

That soon changed for the visitors as they went ahead in the sixth minute. Ryan Gondoh had already drawn a good save out of Mark Cousins but the Bromley custodian was powerless to stop Gondoh’s fierce drive from the edge of the area after he had created the opportunity for himself.

Liam Vincent looked for an immediate response when Michael Cheek gave him sight of goal but Riley Harbottle made a brilliant block at the cost of a corner.

Then, in the 18th minute, the Stones scored again. Dennon Lewis found Connor Smith, who headed back across goal and in off the far post.

Their two-goal advantage only lasted seven minutes though. Danny Green headed wide of his own goal but from Vincent’s corner, Byron Webster got in front of his man and powered home an unstoppable header.

Jack Bridge was unable to stab home after Chris Bush caused chaos with a chipped cross, then Ben Williamson had a free header from Jude Arthurs’ centre but could only head straight at goalkeeper Harvey Isted.

After the interval, Bromley upped the tempo and Cheek twice came close, first firing just wide of the far post and then scuffing his shot wide after great work by Williamson.

Ashley Charles was cautioned for an ugly challenge and when the Bromley free-kick came in, Webster slung a foot at it but could only sky it onto the roof of the net.

Liam Trotter sent over a cross that Vincent attacked with his head but it dipped late and he had to stoop to meet it and could only guide it wide.

Midway through the second period, Woodman made a double change replacing Arthurs and Taylor Maloney with Luke Coulson and Frankie Raymond and soon after, Bromley levelled. A miscued clearance fell into the path of Cheek and he made no mistake with a crisp finish.

Wealdstone defended stoutly after that and Bromley were unable to create further chances until a Harbottle foul gave them a free-kick in the last minute of normal time. Coulson’s effort came back off the wall but Vincent was unable to keep the follow up down and it flew over.

In injury time, Charles held onto the ball to delay a Bromley throw-in and was shown a second yellow card and sent off, but there was not enough time left for the Ravens to take advantage of their extra man and the final whistle sounded shortly after.

Bromley are back in action on Easter Monday when travelling to Stockport County for a live televised game.

Pictured: Captain and goalscorer Byron Webster in action against the Stones. PHOTO: KEITH GILLARD