The lowdown on Bromley 1 Tranmere 2 – Ravens lack real conviction after missing chance to end wait for League Two win

Bromley extended their League Two winless run to nine after falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to Tranmere on Saturday.

The Ravens had 25 shots but lacked cutting edge as their search for their first three points since the 2-0 win over Wimbledon continued.

Here is the lowdown on the match:

THE LINE-UPS

Bromley: Smith, Imray, Reynolds, Sowunmi, Grant, Odutayo, Charles [Leigh 45], Thompson [Congreve 76], Whitley, Olomola [Amantchi 45], Cheek [Dennis 55].

Subs not used: Long, Jenkinson, Webster.

Tranmere: McGee, Norman, Davies, Turnbull, Walker, Patrick [Saunders 79], Finley [Merrie 79], O’Connor, Jennings, Davison [Hendry 57], Norris [Bradshaw 57].

Subs not used: Murphy, Dennis, Taylor.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

Danny Imray was presented with a great chance in the first minute when he was played through by Michael Cheek. The Crystal Palace loanee broke beyond the Tranmere defence but blazed his effort high over Luke McGee’s goal.

The Ravens had multiple chances to take the lead – Imray and Ben Thompson both going close.

The best chance came on the half-hour mark when Imray crossed low for Olufela Olomola, who hit his effort high over the bar after being set up just in front of McGee’s goal.

Bromley stopper Grant Smith somehow kept Connor Jennings’ effort out in the 35th minute after Josh Davison set the midfielder up on the edge of the box.

The Ravens’ agonising wait to take the lead at the start of the second half – Lewis Leigh and Idirs Odutayo both going close.

But Omari Patrick put Tranmere ahead in the 75h minute when he latched onto a ball over the top and poked beyond Smith.

Harvey Saunders killed off the game five minutes later when Callum Reynolds got his back pass all wrong and the substitute was played clean through to finish.

Louis Dennis pulled one back in the 96th minute after he finished off Idris Odutayo’s cross, but there was little time left for the Ravens to mount a real comeback.

TACTICAL APPROACH

Bromley boss Andy Woodman named an unchanged side for the third game running after three consecutive draws.

Woodman’s back-five approach saw Imray have the freedom of the Tranmere defence in the opening five minutes.

The right wing-back broke beyond Omari Patrick on two separate occasions but flashed his first chance high over the bar. His second effort went wide of the left-hand post.

But Imray – on his first senior EFL loan spell – also had to defend up against the experienced former Sutton winger. 

Patrick eventually moved through the middle to escape the young full-back and enjoyed more freedom. 

The 28-year-old gave the visitors the lead in the 75th minute when Omar Sowunmi failed to deal with a ball over the top and he slotted past Smith.

BEST MOMENT

Grant Smith’s first-half save.

Bromley deserved to be two or three goals ahead in the first half, but a lack of a clinical touch saw the game heading into halftime goalless.

But when a ball forward to Josh Davison saw the former Wimbledon striker set up Connor Jennings inside the penalty box, Tranmere looked destined to take the lead.

The Ravens stopper somehow got back across his line to turn the goal-bound effort off the post and away from danger.

STAR MAN 

Danny Imray.

The 20-year-old could have had four goal involvements – two goals and two assists – in the first 30 minutes. 

He was a constant threat going forward and caused Omari Patrick to move inside and away from his left wing role.

Imray crossed 13 times after venturing ahead from his right wing-back role.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

Michael Cheek’s injury.

If Bromley are going to turn around their winless run, they are going to need top goalscorer Michael Cheek on the pitch to change their fortunes.

Cheek was forced off in the 55th minute after going down at the start of the second half.

The 33-year-old has hit the ground running in his first League Two campaign with six goals already, but the next top goalscorer is Olomola with two.

With Doncaster on Tuesday and the Ravens without three points from their last nine, fans will be hoping Cheek’s withdrawal was nothing short of precautionary.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“We just didn’t take our chances.

“We had enough chances to put the game to bed at half-time.

“But you can’t defend and give away the goals like we have.

“That’s the disappointing thing as well. As much as we’re pushing and trying to win the game, we have to make sure we shut up shop at the back.

“We gifted them two goals. Credit to Tranmere because they rode the storm, defended and the keeper made saves.

“It’s disappointing, but that’s the level we’re at.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD