The lowdown on Bromley 1 Carlisle 1 – Leigh’s red changes game as Ravens have upcoming January loan dilemma

Lewis Leigh’s red card saw Bromley concede a late stoppage time equaliser at home to Carlisle on Saturday afternoon.

Michael Cheek netted for Andy Woodman’s side early on in the second half.

But substitute Leigh was sent off in the 83rd minute for an elbow on former Charlton defender Sam Lavelle, with Mike Williamson’s side scoring through Dan Adu-Adjei in the 92nd minute.

Here is the lowdown on the game:

THE LINE-UPS

Bromley: Smith, Imray, Sowunmi, Grant, Webster, Oduatyo, Arthurss, Congreve [Leigh 70], Thompson, Dennis [Olomola 77], Whitely.

Subs: Long, Reynolds, Amantchi, Topalloj, Thomas.

Carlisle: Breeze, Harper [Armstrong 85], Lavelle, Guy, Adu-Adejei, Williams [Charters 66], Mellish, Sadi, Barclay, Burey [Ellis 66], Harris [Vela 67].

Subs: Lewis, Robinson, McGeouch.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

Louis Dennis should have given the Ravens the lead after five minutes when a ball back into the box from a corner rolled through to him – but the Bromley attacker delayed his shot and his effort was cleared for a corner.

Carlisle had their best moment of the game four minutes before half-time when Domi Sadi cut back on his left foot on the edge of the box and drilled an effort at Grant Smith.

The visitors continued to search for the opener moments later – Jude Arthurs and Byron Webster blocking two consecutive volleys from the edge of the box.

Woodman’s side took the lead at the start of the second half when Cheek slammed home his eighth League Two goal of the season after converting a penalty won by Danny Imray.

But Leigh was sent off in the 83rd minute for violent conduct, which saw the home side drop deeper and deeper into their own half.

They were punished in the 92nd minute when Adu-Adjei spun inside the area after picking up a long throw and firing past Smith into the bottom left-hand corner.

TACTICAL APPROACH

Bromley lost the early midfield battle at Hayes Lane. 

Arthurs, Cameron Congreve and Ben Thompson lined up in a three-man unit in the centre of the pitch.

But Carlise have developed under Mike Williamson and learned to play the passing style of football the former Gateshead boss failed to implement at Milton Keynes.

Callum Guy and Cameron Guy both completed 79 per cent of their first-half passes and stopped Woodman’s side from playing through the middle.

One early dual that Bromley did win was Idris Odutayo’s battle with ex-Millwall winger Tyler Burey.

The former Wimbledon youngster was playing at right wing-back and was unable to beat ex-Fulham wing-back Odutayo for pace or skill.

BEST MOMENT

Arthurs’ double block at the end of the game.

With Carlisle firmly on top after Leigh was sent off, they could have snatched all three points at the end if it was not for Arthurs busting a gut in the final minute of the game to get back from the opposition’s penalty box and to his own to block two efforts in quick succession.

STAR MAN

Omar Sowunmi. 

The centre-back made 11 clearances – the most of any Bromley player – as the Ravens were kept busy at the back for the majority of the game.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

Bromley’s loan dilemma. 

One of the perils of signing loanees from Premier League and Championship sides are that, usually, if all goes to plan, they will be recalled in January.

Millwall youngster Kamarl Grant has started every League Two game this season and Crystal Palace defender Danny Imray would be included in Player of the Season shouts if the campaign ends tomorrow.

Grant, who spent the second half of last season with the club, signed off on his second loan stint only until January.

Although Lions boss Neil Harris admitted, there is the possibility of extending it to the end of the season.

And Imray will likely be recalled and promoted up divisions if he keeps up with this form.

The argument Bromley and Woodman will put forward will be that regular playing time will outweigh the chance of moving up and not featuring.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“One of our players let us down today.

“We can’t pull any punches about it. It was a stupid sending off and it made it hard for us.

“You’re then up against it with a team throwing everything at you and trying to get an equaliser.

“There’s no good me dressing it up – it was a ridiculous red card.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD