Gateshead 1 Bromley 1 (3-4 Agg) – FA Trophy Semi Final Second Leg

Bromley booked their place in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 20th May with a gutsy away performance at Gateshead, drawing on the day and going through by a single goal on aggregate over 180 minutes of football.

Cheered on by 242 travelling fans in a crowd of over 2,200 The Ravens got off to the perfect start when Brandon Hanlan bundled the ball home past James Montgomery after only five minutes.

The on loan Charlton striker showing strength and pace to hold off the Heed defenders and force the ball home via a deflection off Fraser Kerr.

For the majority of the first half Bromley controlled the game, with neither side creating any chances of note.

The second half saw Gateshead push forward looking for a way back into the game, while Neil Smith’s side still posed a threat on the break with Louis Dennis and Brandon Hanlan working tirelessly up front.

Nerves began to jangle in the away stand when Heed pulled one back on 70 minutes, Scott Barrow hitting an unstoppable 30-yard drive that gave David Gregory no chance at all.

From there the home side pressed looking for a goal that would take the game to extra time with a series of corners and set pieces, but the Ravens back four held out under pressure and Gregory dealt with anything that got through to him in goal.

The final whistle saw scenes of great emotion in the Bromley section of the International Athletics Stadium as they player and officials came over to celebrate with the fans.

Having travelled to Hartley Wintney, Blyth Spartans, Workington, Spennymoor Town and then Gateshead to get this far the Ravens have certainly taken the long route to Wembley, but it will have been well worth it.

The only previous occasion Bromley played at Wembley Stadium was in 1949 when they won the FA Amateur Cup Final 1-0 over Romford in front of 94,000 fans.

Although the crowd wont be that high this time round, the town will no doubt get behind its football club for this historic day.

Bromley will now face Vanarama National North side Brackley Town in the final at Wembley on May 20 after they defeated National South side Wealdstone 3-0 on aggregate.

Bromley are at home to high flying Wrexham this Friday (March 30) at 3pm.