BROMLEY manager Mark Goldberg was unhappy with the competitive nature of his side’s pre-season friendly with Charlton which saw a number of his players forced off with injuries.
The Lillywhites earned a 1-1 draw with a Charlton XI made up of development squad players and trialists in a fiery affair at Hayes Lane on Tuesday evening.
Charlton were reduced to 10 men in the second half after Harry Lennon was dismissed for an elbowing offence.
And Goldberg was left unimpressed with his opponents’ combative performance afterwards.
He said: “I felt there was far more aggression in the game than there should have been for a friendly.
“There were elbows flying around and there were late challenges.
“Danny Waldren went off injured, Dean Pooley got stamped on and Rob Swaine had a deep cut from an elbow and he has to go to hospital.
“For a young development team, winning is really important to them because I suppose they’re all trying to get themselves noticed for the first team.
“I’m sure they didn’t go out of their way to be like that but it’s just their young exuberance to try and prove they’re ready to play in the first team.
“It was a bit unfortunate it became like that because it meant we’ve come away with injuries too early in pre-season.”
Bromley took a 22nd minute lead thanks to an error from Addicks goalkeeper Nick Pope.
After throwing the ball straight into the back of a retreating Pierre Joseph-Dubois, new signing Shamir Mullings was given an easy opportunity to slot home.
And although Charlton would equalise in the 79th minute through Ollie Muldoon, the Bromley boss was pleased with his team’s performance as his new squad continues to evolve ahead of the 2013/14 season.
Goldberg explained: “I was pleased.
“Tonight was a big test for where we are at pre-season with the squad we’ve assembled.
“Everything is shaping up extremely well, our movement was good and we created half-chances.
“But we didn’t test the keeper enough. We’re probably a finisher light of where we want to be.
“We’ve got good playmakers, and obviously we’ve got Warren McBean who we know is an out and out finisher.
“But maybe I’m just a little bit concerned about whether we need to bring in one more striker.”
With his new signings in the bag, Goldberg believes the latest arrivals have brought with them a positive feeling around Hayes Lane ahead of the new campaign.
He added: “I wanted to assemble a squad that I can go into the season full of confidence with.
“I’ve done that and as long as I can keep this squad, I believe we’ll be a happy management team.
“We’ve really got a new sense of belief and ambition around the camp.
“All of the players are showing an extremely good attitude, so we’re all going into the season with confidence but not getting complacent.
“Our ambitions for the season are that we’re not fighting a relegation battle.”
Bromley are back in action at Hayes Lane on Saturday when they entertain Dartford (3pm).
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