Four talking points from Bromley’s FA Cup defeat at Newcastle – Premier League quality shines through on emotional homecoming for Andy Woodman

Bromley were unable to produce a giant-killing at Premier League side Newcastle United on Sunday as they exited at the third round of the FA Cup.

Here are Mitchell Hall’s four talking points from St James’ Park:

Bromley fell to a 3-1 defeat in Newcastle which sent them out of the FA Cup in the third round, but there was nothing to be ashamed of about their performance.

Bromley came out swinging against the most in-form Premier League team in the competition, with Cameron Congreve giving the Ravens a shock early lead. Andy Woodman’s compact back five frustrated the northern giants, who seemed incapable of breaking their opponents down for the much of the match.

The reply came in the 17th minute when Newcastle academy product Lewis Miley powered it in from range, before Bromley were buried by an Anthony Gordon penalty and a stellar solo run and first Newcastle goal from William Osula in the second half. Forget the multiple divisions between them, these two moments of individual quality and a marginal penalty were all that separated the sides on the day.

Despite the result, It was a performance that will build the team’s confidence for their return to League Two action after their 4-1 drubbing against Crewe last week.

The Swansea loanee sent the visiting fans into rapture when he opened up his body and curled a sweet strike into the far corner past Dubravka in the ninth minute.

Whitely brought down the ball under intense pressure, slipping over in the process but still managing to dig the ball out of the melee of legs and far enough for Congreve to latch onto it. He showed great strength to out-fight fellow youngster Miley before driving into the space for the shot.

The net’s ripple sparked delirium for Bromley fans in the upper tier behind the goal, and stunned the rest of the ground into silence. The visiting fans had barely quietened down when Danny Imray intercepted a loose ball and charged down the right wing, placing his eventual shot agonisingly wide of the far post.

This spell in the early stages was Bromley’s strongest of the game. If the squad brings that sort of aggression and hunger to the rest of the season, they can play anyone in League Two off the park.

For all the discipline and effort of the Bromley squad on the day, Newcastle’s status eventually caught up with them.

Taking on a giant of the English game – with some of the richest owners on the planet and a 52,000 capacity stadium that was hosting the likes of PSG less than two years ago – was always going to be a tall order. In the end it was the depth of their quality that sank Bromley.

The sight of elite players such as Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes being subbed on would strike fear in the most seasoned Premier League opposition, and despite a heroic performance from Omar Sowunmi against the pair, the control and energy they provided helped pin the Ravens in their own area for much of the second half to suffocate any chances of a late resurgence.

The fact that Eddie Howe brought Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali on for winger Miguel Almiron to shore up the defense for the last 10 minutes of the game was a testament to how far Bromley pushed their well stocked opponents.

As the teams shook hands and took their place on the field amidst the roars of the home and away fans alike, the Bromley boss stood with a look of awe and joy on his face, front turned to the crowd as he soaked up the atmosphere.

It is not one that is foreign to him, having spent five years as goalkeeping coach at Newcastle, where his son Freddie – who currently plys his trade at Preston North End – took his first steps as a professional himself.

Woodman wears his deep affection for the club and the region on his sleeve, and he didn’t hold back when asked if the return was stirring some emotions.

“You know what, it’s been really emotional,” said Woodman. “I can’t hide my emotion because I love this place. I was blessed to work at this football club.”

The magic of the occasion on and off the pitch has appeared to only strengthen his resolve that something equally special could be brewing on more familiar soil.

Turning his attention back to League Two, Woodman said: “I’ve just said to the guys you’ve got to really believe that we could do something this year, and it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if we crept into the playoffs. That’s still going to be my target and I’m still going to demand that from this team.”