Bromley boss Andy Woodman credits character of players – but not defending – in 3-3 draw against Wealdstone

BY JOE ROBERTS

Bromley manager Andy Woodman was disappointed with his side’s defence but hailed their character after they drew 3-3 against Wealdstone on Saturday.

At a frosty Hayes Lane, the Ravens came from behind three times to secure a point.

Bromley went into half-time a goal down but had the better chances, with Charlton loanee Charles Clayden causing persistent threat on both wings.

Centre-back Omar Sowunmi’s instinctive finish levelled for the home side in the 51st minute but Bromley went behind again following Tarryn Allarakhia’s curling outside-the-box effort which comfortably beat Arsenal loanee Tom Smith in the 58th minute.

The home side responded swiftly as Jude Arthurs met the end of Harry Forster’s cross to head the ball past Wealdstone goalkeeper Sam Howes in the 62nd minute. But again the visitors took the lead after some neat penalty area passing by Wealdstone afforded Alex Dyer the space to convert his whipped effort.

Arthurs ensured the point for Bromley in the 88th minute after the 21-year-old picked up the ball in the box and struck it convincingly in the bottom-right corner.

“It was a little bit too easy really,” said Woodman on conceding three goals. “But we showed good character to get a point out of it.”

Woodman was full of praise for Arthurs, who earned himself a brace with two very well-taken goals. His influence on the game led him to be named man of the match.

“He gives me everything every time he plays and every time he trains,” said Woodman. “He’s been unlucky to be in and out the team and he’s really given me something to think about with a performance where he had a couple of goals”

Bromley also recalled youngsters Ben Krauhaus and Kellen Fisher from their loans at Cray Wanderers, with Woodman hoping they will make an impact in the second half of the season.

“They’re two young boys that we’ve got high hopes for,” he said. “We’ve been down to the bare bones this week with injuries and illness, so I had to call them back. I said my thanks to Cray and Neil Smith, but they had to come back otherwise we’d have had no-one on the bench.

“They were unlucky not to get on. At one point they were, but we scored so it changed things. They will feature, for sure.”

 

Bromley’s fixture last weekend against Yeovil Town was called off during the match following the death of supporter Keith Hore. He was honoured at this fixture with a minute’s silence before kick-off.

“It’s been a tough week for the football club,” said Woodman. “I know it’s not been easy for everyone involved particularly the players after last week’s sad events. So let’s be grateful we took a point.

“With this awful situation we were put in last week, I think everyone around the football club should be really proud about how we’ve conducted ourselves.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD