Bromvhors100104

Thursday 01st September 2005
Walker leaves Bromley after four games
Bromley 1-3 Horsham
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 10 January 2004
by Stephen McCartney
 

Bromley chairman, Jerry Dolke announced after the game that Alan Walker, former manager of Tonbridge Angels has left the club.

Dolke said: "We had our differences and both parties agree to part company amicably at an early stage."

Walker, 44, lasted only four games in charge at Bromley.  In his first game Bromley put on an entertaining Boxing Day show against local rivals, Dulwich Hamlet in a thrilling 2-2 draw before three points at Molesey followed in a 2-1 victory on New Year’s Day.

However, a 1-1 midweek draw at Whyteleafe and a 3-1 home defeat to Horsham, in front of 262 long suffering fans forced Bromley chairman, Jerry Dolke to take swift action in an attempt to save their season.

Walker was Bromley’s fourth manager of the season.  The Ravens started the campaign with popular Scot, Stuart McIntyre, but after two years at the helm he shocked the club by resigning in October.

His assistant, Eddie Saunders, lasted only 45 days in charge before Dolke, with  assistance from experienced midfielder, John Myatt and goalkeeping coach, Derek Parnham took charge of three games (including a 2-1 win at Horsham in December) before the managerial reigns were taken by Alan Walker, who had led Tonbridge Angels to the top of the Dr Martens League Eastern Division before leaving Longmead Stadium to take over at Hayes Lane before Christmas.

Walker’s departure has also meant, Peter Overton, Sam Tydeman and Andy Larkin, players he brought with him from Tonbridge Angels,  have also been released.

Dean Forbes, who played for the Angels in their 3-1 win at Banbury United, will skipper the Bromley side for the mouth-watering Kent Senior Cup Quarter Final clash against Tonbridge Angels at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.

John Butler, Paul Vines and Grant Watts, who were sent to Dr Martens League Eastern Division side Dartford by Walker will also feature for Bromley in the county cup clash.  But Jason McKoy who was recently released by Walker, will need to re-sign for Bromley before he can wear the black and white striped shirt of the Ravens again.

Bromley got off a to a bright start against Horsham and from the second corner of the game, from Sam Tydeman, Bobby George rose with visiting goalkeeper, Luke Burton, but headed wide of the right post.

Bromley took the lead after seven minutes.  Left back, Colin Luckett clipped the ball into space down the left channel for Adolph Amoako to run into.  His pace left John Kirby for dead outside the penalty area and once inside the area he shot across the face of goal with his right foot.  Bobby George followed up at the near post to fire Bromley into a deserved lead.

But the lead lasted only two minutes as David Fleming cut the ball back to Carlo Castrechino on the right and his cross was headed by Gary Charman and dropped into the bottom right corner of Andy Hunt’s net.

Moments later, Lee Carney dragged a 30 yard shot wide of Bromley’s left post, before Bromley winger, Mark Hammond took on the visiting defence before hitting a high shot over the bar from 22 yards on the right hand side of the penalty area.

Bromley midfielder, John Wilfort saw his powerful shot blocked inside the penalty area but he was awarded a free kick after he was fouled when striking the ball.  Facing a four man wall, Luckett’s free kick from 23 yards was deflected wide of the left upright.

Luckett was beaten by Fleming before the experienced striker rolled the ball narrowly wide of the left post a minute before Horsham took the lead on the half an hour mark.

Carney’s long cross from the right went over Charman, but he retrieved the ball on the left touch-line.  He composed himself before crossing for Andy Walker to slid the ball into the bottom far corner of Bromley’s net to score from 15 yards.

Hayes Lane was now silenced and with eleven minutes before the interval, George’s flicked header from Danny Smith’s cross was well wide of the left post from 12 yards.

Another Carney cross from the right cut out Andy Larkin and allowed Charman to head wide of the left post before Hammond’s low pile driver was comfortably saved by Burton at his near post before an unmarked George headed Hammond’s cross over the bar ten yards from goal.

Horsham wrapped up the three points within 31 seconds after the interval.  Bromley failed to set an offside trap and Charman on the left hand side of the penalty area, easily ran into the area before placing a right footed shot past an exposed Hunt and into the bottom far corner of the net.

Amoako was held 28 yards from goal after 53 minutes but Burton made a comfortable save from Hammonds’ free kick.

Bromley briefly came to life on the hour mark when Amoako headed wide of the right post before the long suffering fans hurled abuse at Walker as he replaced Hammond, an outlet for crosses throughout the game, for fans favourite, target-man, Wade Falana.

With 12 minutes remaining, Wilfort’s volley screamed wide of the right post and another Amoako header was headed away from inside the six yard area before Falana could pull a goal back for the home side.

Charman was denied a well-deserved hat-trick with five minutes remaining when Hunt dived to his left to push out the shot.

Bromley’s X-rated showing was complete inside injury time, and with many off the home fans making their way home, George beat the defence and as the goalkeeper came off his line, slammed the shot against right upright when it was easier to score.

 Making only his fifth start of the season, Bromley goalkeeper, Andy Hunt  said: “I think it was disappointing today, we didn’t play as well today.  I do think there was a little bit of effort lacking in a few bits and pieces.

“However, I felt I did all right.  We gave away three bad goals today, we had the ball on all occasions and it was sloppy defending that cost us today.

“It was a bad day all round and very disappointing.

“I think it’s a perfect situation against Tonbridge Angels.  People are playing for places and people know they have to perform to stay in the side now.  I think it’s a perfect opportunity to go out onto the pitch, play well and we can bounce back and get a result.”

Former Tonbridge Angels boss, Walker wasn't at all happy with the players performance.  Speaking forty-five minutes after the game, and before his departure, Walker said: "  "As far as I’m concerned I think we were second best all around the pitch.  I can’t name one player who won his personal battle and that’s not something I will settle for.

“I can forgive players for getting beaten by a better side, but I don’t think Horsham were a better side.

“I’ve been here since before Christmas, and I’ve brought in three new players.  At the moment the team isn’t gelling. Up until today we’ve done ok, 2 draws and a win, but we still haven’t played well, in any of the games.  It was embarrassing at times, and once they go over that white line there is nothing I can do about it.  You tinker with formations and positions, but I am still finding out who can do what and where.

“I just think the players showed not enough commitment for the club.

“It’s getting very serious – I’ve taken it seriously from the minute I’ve got here.  It’s a new club, and I am new to the players.  It’s getting to know eachother and the standards we all require.  To be fair, up until today, I’ve been impressed by the players attitude’s but today they let themselves down, obviously they have let the club, the chairman and the fans down.

“We didn’t deserve anything from the game today, as far as I’m concerned."

Bromley:  Andy Hunt, Danny Smith (Capt), Michael Harney, Andy Larkin, Colin Luckett, Peter Overton, Sam Tydeman (John Myatt 54), Mark Hammond (Wade Falana 63), Bobby George, Adolph Amoako, John Wilfort.  Subs: Steve Potterill, Danny Harwood (GK)

Horsham: Luke Burton, Matt Ottley, Stuart Hardy, Eddie French (Capt), John Kirby, Tom Graves, Lee Carney (Jason Kuska 75), Carlo Castrechino, David Fleming, Andy Walker, Gary Charman.  Subs: Rhod Davis, Simon Berry, David Soutar, Ian Chatfield (Capt).
 

Referee: Mr I Gosling

Assistants: Mr P Andrews and Mr R Woods

Attendance: 262    

Message from editor, Stephen McCartney:
I would like to put on record that Alan Walker wasn't sacked by Bromley Football Club, as the original article stated,  but "agreed to part company amicably" with the club following Saturday's game against Horsham.  I would like to aplogise to Mr Walker and the club for any embarrassment caused  stating the wrong facts.