Bromley Football Club switched their attentions from their Ryman League problems they are without a win from 16 games to play in two cup tournaments last week.

First, they played Minerva Spartan South Midlands side Hoddesdon Town in the third round Bromley had a bye until this stage of the London Senior Cup at Hayes Lane.

Bromley's display mirrored that which has been the story of their season so far a dire show against a side from several divisions lower.

Hoddesdon rode their luck but Bromley's woeful finishing combined with the Hertfordshire club's defence kept the Whites at bay.

The visitors had just one shot on target in the whole match but made it count.

The only goal came five minutes before the break when Leon Hall's low cross along the edge of the penalty box found Simon Eden, who hit a firm shot out of the reach of Danny Harwood.

Bromley spent the entire second period encamped in the Hoddesdon half of the field and although Moses Jjunju and Ryan Briggs both missed easy chances and they hit the woodwork twice, Bromley could not score.

But on Saturday, there was a win at last for Bromley when they won 2-1 away at Ashford Town in the first round fo the FA Umbro Trophy.

Enjoying the better of the early play, Bromley deservedly went ahead after 17 minutes, when Mark Tivey's cross had been dummied by Mark Nicholas to deceive home goalkeeper John Whitehouse, allowing the ball to run onto Kirk Watts to net from a tight angle.

But the lead was short-lived as, after conceding an unnecessary free-kick, the ball eluded everyone but Dae Hassell who side-footed the ball in.

Nicholas hit the Ashford post and John Myatt shot wide, but Bromley regained their lead a minute after the restart.

Tivey's cross was helped on by Watts to Briggs, whose first shot was blocked but the ball rebounded kindly to him and the laid it off to Robbie Hughes to shot low into the corner of the net.

Their reward is a home tie against Tooting & Mitcham in round two on December 1.

Bromley have been drawn at home against Billericay Town in the first round of the Rynan League Cup on November 27.

This Saturday, Bromley entertain Bedford Town in a league match at 3pm.

November 6, 2001 10:26