Bromley 3-1 Cray Wanderers - I can't wait to get started, says Jenkins

Tuesday 21st July 2009

BROMLEY 3-1 CRAY WANDERERS
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 21st July 2009
Mike Green reports from Hayes Lane

It was a case of Landlords walking off with the spoils of the Bert Durling Memorial Trophy against the Tenants at Hayes Lane as Blue Square South Bromley ran out deserved winners against Cray Wanderers who are preparing for life in the Ryman Premier League for the first time in their 150 year history.

And to be fair, it was one man - Bromley's Ryan Hall - who was the star of the show with some stunning wing play and some Ronaldo-esque skill that had the Bromley fans purring for more.

For Cray though, as manager Ian Jenkins admitted afterwards, “(it was) a real test for us against a bright young side, and I thought we did ok.” the Wanderers boss admitted afterwards, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

"We've done OK so far in pre season, but this was our first real test, and gave us a chance to have a look at a few things, and change a few things around."

That said, even the jovial Jenkins must have feared the worst in the early stage's as Hall electric pace down the left wing caused the Cray defence all sorts of problems.

Keeper Glen Knight had already been at his alert best in the opening moments to keep the scoreline blank before Bromley took the lead on 11 minutes.

Hall accelerated away down the left like an Olympic sprinter, and his centre was perfect for Jacob Erskine (newly signed from Dorchester Town) to walk the ball into the empty net.

Hall almost double the lead on 19 minutes with the most audacious chip - cutting in from the left on his right foot, he lobbed Knight with the outside of his left foot and the ball narrowly missed the top corner - but on four minutes later he did double the lead with a free kick that the Portuguese magician would have been proud of.

The assistant referee gave a foul by Cray skipper Mark Wily on Erskine (although the referee was considerably closer) and Hall stepped up and curled an absolute stunner beyond Knight and into the net.

Incredibly this seem to kick start Cray, and within a minute, Hall's free kick had been matched by Jamie Wood. Wood himself played a sweet one-two with Tommy Tyne on the edge of the Bromley box before being flattened.

Undeterred, the winger picked himself up and left Gareth Williams in the home goal motionless as he curled the ball into the top right corner of the net.

The game ebbed and flowed nicely with chances continuing to come at both ends - Luke I'Anson was only denied by a full length Knight (from Erskines pull back) whilst Wood was this time denied by Williams from 25 yards - the keeper acrobatically turning the drive aside.

As often does during these pre season games, multi half time substitutions effected the flow of the game, but on the hour and from their first attack of the second half Bromley sealed the win.

Hall again was the provider down the left - his pace again taking him beyond the Cray defence - and his cross found Gareth A Williams at the far post who took the ball in his stride before burying it past the hopelessly exposed Knight.

Cray did their best to get back on terms - the tireless Michael Power bringing another fine save out of keeper Williams, and Willy seeing a header cleared off the line by Ryan Dolby - before on 81 minutes Warren McBean missed a glorious chance to make it 4-1. Bromley top scorer last season beat the offside trap only to be denied by Knight on the edge of the box.

Bromley then victorious in this one, and given the performance manager Mark Goldberg must have been reasonably happy as they prepare for their next pre season game on Thursday when Coca Cola Championship side Reading visit Hayes Lane.

Cray and manager Jenkins meanwhile move on a meeting with VCD. "We should get another decent surface to play on and that'll suit us" Jenkins said of the Oakwood clash.

But the manager then admitted that "pre season seems to be dragging already! We just want to get started now. I don't like this part of it as there's the pressure on us to know just how much playing time to give the players, whilst we pray everyone will be fit for the 15th!"

Bromley: Gareth Williams, Aaron Fray, Harrison Dunk (Ryan Dolby 46), Nicky Green (Rob Hughes 46), Tutu Enriques, Rob Gillman, Ashley Carew (Donal O'Sullivan 66), Luke I'Anson (Vincenzo Zanzi 46), Jacob Erskine (Gareth A Williams 46), Ryan Hall (Seb Schoburgh 66), Marcus Cassius (Warren McBean 46).

Goals: Jacob Erskine 11, Ryan Hall 23, Gareth A Williams 60

Cray Wanderers: Glen Knight, Tony Callaghan (Callum O'Shea 63), Colin Luckett (Darryl Parker 55), Dean Standen, Mark Willy, Tommy Osborne, Scott Kinch (Richmond Kissi 63), Rob Quinn (Stanley Muguo 50), Tommy Tyne, Michael Power, Jamie Wood (Lewis Wood 46).

Goal: Jamie Wood 24

Referee: Mr Ian Bentley
Assistants: Mr K Greenhead & Mr V Anekwe