Bromley boss gives his verdict on 2-1 defeat to National League leaders Wrexham

BY JACK BURGESS

A second-half Paul Mullin double was enough to see Bromley lose ground in the race for the National League play-offs as they lost 2-1 at home to Wrexham.

The visitors dominated early proceedings and almost took the lead in less than two minutes with former AFC Wimbledon striker Ollie Palmer directing a header goalwards following a long throw from Ben Tozer, which forced Sam Long into a good save, in what was his debut for the club having joined on loan from Lincoln City in January.

Bromley grew into the first half, and had a first chance on 25 minutes when 18-year-old Kellen Fisher found Michael Cheek with a cut-back from just inside the right hand side of the penalty area. Cheek’s shot was blocked by Eoghan O’Connell from close range.

A largely uneventful first half ended level, with neither side doing enough to break the deadlock.

The Ravens started the second half slowly and goalkeeper Long was forced into early saves following efforts from Mullin and Davies.

Bromley fell behind on 56 minutes. Mullin headed home after a well-executed cross from James Jones. Just four minutes later Wrexham doubled their lead following a long throw from Tozer, which Long failed to gather, Mullin’s producing an acrobatic effort at the far post.

Bromley quickly pulled a goal back to halve the deficit through Michael Cheek, who tapped home from close range, following a scuffed shot towards goal by substitute Louis Dennis. It was the National League’s all-time top-scorer’s 10th goal of the season.

Bromley struggled to create clear chances after that and their only meaningful effort came late on with 87 minutes on the clock when Corey Whitely hit the side netting with a shot from the right hand side of the penalty area , after being found by Dennis.

Despite the defeat, Bromley manager Andy Woodman remained upbeat about his side’s display.

“We were excellent,” he said. “We had two debutants (Deji Elerewe and Sam Long). One was 19 (Elerewe) and we had another 18-year-old at right-back (Kellen Fisher). Another midfielder that was 20. I couldn’t be prouder of my team.”

Woodman was understandably disappointed at the nature of Wrexham’s goals , but remained optimistic that the errors would benefit his young players in the long-term.

“It’s a good learning curve for those boys,” he said. “A couple of mistakes, which have cost us today and ones that you can’t make at this level”.

“The goalie (Long) was excellent, but he’s just had one moment that’s cost us and he’s devastated. I’m delighted that he’s done that today, in a weird way, because that will be part of his learning. The character he showed after that was sensational. His passes, he still came and got crosses. Fantastic.”

The loss, albeit against table-topping Wrexham, puts a major dent in Bromley’s hopes of staging a final push towards the play-offs.

“We’re always confident, and that’s not easy for a young team,” said Woodman. “We’ve got a fanbase that’s growing and they’ve got to be patient with these young boys. But you’ve seen today, they’ve clapped the boys off even in a loss , because they’ve given everything”.

Bromley are 11th in the table and nine points off the final play-off place, with an away trip to Yeovil Town their next game.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD