Braintree 2-0 Bromley

BROMLEY never looked like getting anything other than a defeat out of this fixture at Cressing Road last Saturday as they were undone by former player, and man of the match, Gareth Williams.

The striker, who was released by the Hayes Lane club at the end of last season, controlled the game from start to finish with his clever running off the ball and ability on to it.

He also chipped in with two goals to send Bromley to their fifth defeat of the season.

In fact, but for an excellent display by his namesake in the Bromley goal, the match could quite easily have seen the Essex side win by a hatful.

Bromley were a complete shambles and, not for the first time this season, lacked passion, cohesion and basic ball control in a performance which, if continued for the remainder of the season, has relegation written all over it.

In truth it was plain awful.

As early as the fourth minute, Williams had to be at his best to deny Wayne O'Sullivan before Chris Piper shot wildly past the post with only Williams to beat.

The goalkeeper saved Bromley again on 25 minutes when he brilliantly tipped over Braintree's Williams rising shot.

And 10 minutes later he was quickly off his line to block Sean Marks' effort after Bromley's defence stood awaiting the offside flag which never came.

Braintree deservedly took the lead on 36 minutes when Bromley's defence was opened up by Williams once more.

He played a one-two with Marks before placing a low shot out of reach of Bromley's Williams.

Moses Swaibu sent a hopeful 35-yarder past the post on 37 minutes but this was the nearest Bromley got to goal in the whole of the first half.

The introduction of Nic McDonnell at half-time in place of debutant Ben Kudjodji did perk Bromley up a little.

In the early stages of the second half Braintree had goalkeeper Craig Holloway, who made five appearances for Bromley at the tail end of last season, to thank for keeping his side in front.

Holloway firstly denied Danny Hockton and then Warren McBean inside 60 seconds before moving smartly to block Hockton's goalbound shot on 62 minutes.

Bromley were reduced to 10 men on 65 minutes when David Obaze was sent off for a rugby tackle on Williams as the striker was about to race clear on goal.

Obaze is expected to receive a four-match suspension as this is his second dismissal of the season, having been sent off in a pre-season friendly against Dartford.

His suspension is expected to start with the away match at Newport County on 4 October.

The dismissal proved costly as Williams scored his, and Braintree's, second of the afternoon four minutes later with a firm volley which was deflected past Bromley's goalkeeper.

This effectively ended any hopes of a Bromley recovery and it was the home side who could, and should, have increased their advantage with Williams hitting the post and Piper and Marks both firing shots over the crossbar from good positions.

Bromley will have to show a great improvement if they are to progress in the FA Cup this coming Saturday, when they entertain Ryman League Premier Division AFC Hornchurch.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

Meanwhile, Jay May, who was signed in the summer from Dartford, has gone on loan to Ryman League Premier Division side Ramsgate.

The deal is initially for one month, but the loan is expected to be extended.

Bromley: Williams, I'Anson, Anderson (Joseph 73), Swaibu, Obaze, Gillman, McBean, Hall, Hockton, Kudjodji (McDonnell 46), Fazakerley. Subs not used: Toppin, Norval, Everitt. Att: 604