4:25pm Tuesday 26th January 2010
BROMLEY missed a golden opportunity to go into the play-off places on Monday evening when they were defeated by Havant & Waterlooville at Westleigh Park, despite opening the scoring on 26 minutes.
In a game dominated by the hosts, Bromley had keeper Gareth Williams to thank for keeping the scoreline down as they were given a lesson in passing and ball control by their opponents.
The custodian was on hand in the 16th minute to come quickly off his line to deny Mustafa Tiryaki after Jerrome Sobers had lost possession on the edge of the area.
And a few minutes later, he blocked a point-blank header from the same player following a free-kick.
Against the run of play, Bromley opened the scoring in the 26th minute.
Following a goalmouth scramble, Williams eventually came away with the ball and released it to Mark Corneille.
He hit a long pass into the path of lone striker McBean, who calmly stepped aside of the attentions of centre half Gary Macdonald before rolling a shot past the outcoming keeper.
The lead only lasted two minutes as the visitors failed to clear their lines Ian Simpemba thumped an unstoppable volley into the far corner of the net.
Tiryaki turned Corneille before shooting wildly wide and Manny Williams bounced a header off the top of the crossbar just before the interval.
The best Bromley could muster was a 25-yard curling shot from Salifou Ibrahima, which was just wide of the post.
The second period continued in similar vein with Bromley on the back foot for long periods.
Simpemba flashed a header just wide following a free-kick, before Havant gained what proved to be the winning goal on 59 minutes.
A poor clearance across the face of the goal went straight to Wes Fogden, who completely unmarked, side stepped Williams to shoot into an unguarded net.
McBean might have done better on 65 minutes when he was put through by Ashley Carew, but the striker was denied by keeper Aaron Howe, who spread himself well to block the striker’s effort.
Gareth Williams rescued his side again when Fogden got through and he denied Manny Williams a few moments later before the home side were reduced to 10 men on 72 minutes when John McDonald was sent off for two yellow cards.
Having been booked in the first half for crudely bringing down Steve Ferguson, he received a second yellow when he scythed down Luke I’Anson.
The one-man advantage made little difference to the pattern of play, although Bromley came more into the game. McBean and Ferguson combined to win a couple of corners and, in the last minute, Tutu Henriques’ cross-cum-shot was palmed over the bar by Howe.
From Ashley Carew’s corner, Phil Ruggles skied high over the bar, which rather summed up Bromley’s night.
Bromley: Williams, Corneille (Calliste 68), Dunk, Daly, Sobers, Henriques, Carew, Ibrahima (I’Anson 68), McBean, Ruggles, Ferguson. Subs not used: Greene, Gillman, Dolby. Att: 580.
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