Bromley make National League play-offs and will have no fear of Hartlepool

BY MARK DOIG

Five teams came into the last game of the season vying for the final two National League play-off places. Bromley knew that if two of the three sides immediately above them won, they were powerless to do anything about it.

However, to give themselves any chance, they had to take something out of their home game with in-form Notts County.

The Magpies, already sure of a play-off place, had won five and drawn one of their last six, the dropped points coming at home to the Ravens, but needed a point to guarantee home advantage in their first game.

Despite being second best in the first half a superb second-half performance earned the Ravens a deserved win and after an anxious wait for the Wrexham game at Dagenham and Redbridge to end, Bromley’s participation in the play-offs was confirmed.

Michael Cheek had an opportunity in the first minute before Notts County had a great chance when Kyle Wootton was played through by Jim O’Brien but his chip was tipped on to the underside of the bar by Mark Cousins and when it eventually came back to O’Brien he could only blast wide.

The visitors continued to press and Calvin Miller hooked over and Wootton fired over after creating a chance for himself. Ruben Rodrigues fired over then Adam Chicksen was unable to head home after Connell Rawlinson headed Jack Reeves’ corner back across the face of goal.

Wootton turned and shot but it bounced wide of the post before Bromley had a chance when Cheek met a Frankie Raymond free-kick but headed straight to the Magpies’ keeper Sam Slocombe.

Jude Arthurs made a double brave block as Bromley went into the break happy to be level.

Although the visitors started the second half well with Rodrigues having a couple of efforts from outside the area, it was no longer all one way and Jack Bridge had a shot blocked by Michael Doyle before Andy Woodman brought on Harry Forster, who almost made an immediate impact with a shot that Slocombe turned around the post for a corner.

Nothing came of that, however after 20 second-half minutes, Bromley broke the deadlock. Frankie Raymond’s shot came back off the post. And after a penalty area scramble, Bem Williamson forced it home.

Notts County almost made an immediate response when Rodrigues had a shot beaten out by Cousins and Miller’s follow up was cleared of the line by Alex Mitchell.

Looking for a second to give Bromley some comfort, Forster had a shot deflected wide before second substitute James Alabi saw his header come back off the bar. Slocombe then saved from Bridge before again coming to the rescue to keep out an Alabi shot.
Richard Brindley met a deep Enzio Boldewijn cross but Charlie Fox did enough to make it an easy save for Cousins before Bridge shot well off target.

Bromley saw out the remaining time in relative comfort and their reward for making it into the play-offs is a trip to Hartlepool on Sunday. Having recorded an away draw and home win against them, they will go into the game with no fear.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD