Basingstoke 2-3 Bromley (From News Shopper)

Basingstoke 2-3 Bromley

1:34pm Wednesday 20th January 2010 in

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A GOAL in each half from newcomer Richard Butler and a fantastic double save from the penalty spot by keeper Gareth Williams ensured Bromley returned home from the Camrose on Tuesday evening with maximum points.

After going two goals to the good just before half-time, Bromley were pegged back by Basingstoke, who drew level before Butler clinched the points three minutes from the end.

The home side might have gone ahead as early as the ninth minute when David Pratt stepped over the ball to allow Mitchell Bryant a clear run at goal, but Williams moved quickly off his line to block the striker’s effort.

However, Bromley opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark when a long throw was back headed by Salifou Ibrahima to Rob Gillman, who looped a header over the keeper and into the net.

Phil Ruggles went close with a chip, following a penetrating run by Harrison Dunk, and Gillman’s header skimmed the crossbar before Ruggles missed a close range header from Ashley Carew’s pinpoint cross, as Bromley looked to increase their lead.

Basingstoke might have levelled on 27 minutes when Pratt went on a mazy run which took him past three defenders, before his well-struck shot came back off the foot of the upright with Williams beaten.

Bromley increased their advantage on 38 minutes. Carew started a flowing movement deep in his own half and ended with Butler’s tap in after the opposing keeper had made a brilliant save from Ruggles’ far post header.

With two minutes of the half remaining, Basingstoke reduced the arrears when Bromley failed to deal with a corner and Tom Williamson drilled a first time shot from 25 yards past a static Williams.

If the first half had produced some good football from Bromley, the second period was the complete opposite as all the shape and desire went out of their play.

It was no surprise Basingstoke enjoyed the majority of the play without creating too many goal scoring opportunities.

The nearest they came was from a quick break and Gillman’s clearance, which went agonisingly past his own post with Bromley’s keeper struggling, before the hosts did deservedly equalise on 77 minutes. A poor pass by Mark Corneille landed at Gary Frewen’s feet and the winger curled a peach of a shot past the stranded Williams.

All of the drama was saved for the last three minutes, plus a generous four minutes of time added on. Corneille partially redeemed himself by picking out Carew with a pinpoint pass.

Carew swung in a good cross and Butler turned his marker to place a shot wide of the keeper and into the net for his second goal of the evening.

Two minutes into added time, Ramon Calliste made a rash tackle on substitute Jahson Downes and the assistant referee signalled a penalty.

Matt Warner stepped up to take the kick but Williams guessed right to parry the spot kick and them brilliantly got back on his feet to block Frewen’s header from the loose ball.

Bromley climbed two places up to seventh position in the league table with this league double over the Hampshire club.

Bromley: Williams, Corneille, Dunk, Daly, Sobers, Gillman, Carew, Ibrahima, Ruggles (Calliste 82), Butler (Henriques 89), Ferguson (Dolby 82). Subs not used: McBean, Greene. Att: 293.