maldon170905

Maldon kept in the Darko

Bromley secured a vital three points against a hard working solid Maldon side, but they made really hard work of it and nearly threw it away at the end, writes Colin Head.

With most of the crowd still finding their positions on the terraces the visitors from Essex went in front inside 2 minutes, when a free kick from the left was flicked over his own Keeper by Joe Vines.

The goal was greeted with total silence with no one behind the opposition goal!

Bromley rallied straight away and put Maldon under pressure. Logan shot just over latching on to a Gardner cross, but their momentum was halted by a series of injuries and offsides.

The Ravens' equaliser eventually came on 22 minutes when the impressive Fraser Logan cut in from the left before switching to his right foot and curling home a great effort from 10yards out.

Maldon had their chances to go back in front looking threatening from set pieces, but wasting opportunities with poor finishing.

With Sam Wood injured Henry Darko came on up front and Logan switched to left wing, this was Darko’s first chance to make an impression since joining in the summer from Graz in Austria and he seized it.

He ran and harried the defence all game and was on hand in first half injury time to put Bromley in front. A corner from the right was flicked on by McDonnell and with Maldon Keeper Paul Catley stuck on his line Darko turned the ball into the net from close range. 

Bromley started the second half brightly Logan did well to keep a ball in and Des Boateng cracked in an effort which was well saved by Catley. From the following corner Nic McDonnell had a header cleared off the line and the ball went over off Tutu Henriques.

Catley made another great save from Gardner after a good run by Darko. Bromley were well on top at this stage and it was only the hard work of Catley and former West Ham defender Simon Clarke who kept the score down.

Bromley eased off as the half went on and Maldon came right back into it missing a couple more good chances and also being denied by excellent Bromley goalkeeper Andy Walker.

Darko forced one more save from Catley, but the last 15 minutes was petty much a tale of Maldon pressing for an equaliser. Walker made more fine saves and when he was beaten Joe Vines (twice) and Colin Luckett both cleared balls off the line.

The final whistle came at nearly 5pm and it was with great relief that the fans and players celebrated surviving the Essex sides onslaught to grab the win.

Bromley: Walker, McLeod, Vines, Henriques, Luckett, Gardener, Locke, Boateng, Wood, McDonnell, Logan. Subs: Amoako, Darko, Chin, Julius.

Maldon Town: Catley, Simon Clarke, Huttley, Bell, Williams, Goodacre, Cross, Parratt, Ansell, Parker, Howard. Subs: Sam Clarke, Rugg, McCartney, Holmes.