Bill Robinson reports from Ship Lane…..
Thurrock still without a league win went down to a defeat against high-flying Bromley after falling away in the second half.
The home side started the brighter with Joe Carlos hitting the post from Matt Bodkin’s deep free kick and on 13 minutes Bromley keeper Wes Foderingham excelled with a triple save, first from Lee Roache who ran clear and twice from Cliff Akurang as Thurrock tried to press home their advantage.
Bromley had their chances and did look lively on the break with Joe Woolley doing well to hold on from Harry Harding’s 20 yard volley.
The visitors then went close on 22 minutes when Warren McBean beat Kenny Clark but saw his shot come back off of the inside of the post and Woolley held on in the ensuing scramble.
The opening goal came on 42 minutes with Bromley taking the lead, Thurrock failed to clear an attack and Ryan Dolby collected the ball some 25 yards out, keeper Joe Woolley was trying to get back into position when Dolby’s long range shot came in and beat the keeper’s efforts to save and went into the corner of the goal.
Thurrock responded in the right way and Cliff Akurang came close on 44 minutes with a left footed shot that was saved by Foderingham.
On the stroke of half time they got a deserved equaliser when Lee Roache’s trickery led to a trip from John Scarborough and Cliff Akurang sent the keeper the wrong way from the resulting penalty.
In the second half Bromley dominated and took the lead on 52 minutes, it started with Tony Finn making a fine run down the right flank, his excellent cross was just to high for keeper Woolley who could only get his finger tips to the ball and with Warren McBean unmarked he headed home from close range.
Thurrock tried to get back into the game and despite some tactical substitutions Bromley’s shape and discipline stopped them creating any chances as they ran out deserved winners.
Thurrock: Joe Woolley, Craig Pope, Lee Flynn, Rob Swaine, Kenny Clark, Max Lette-Jallow, Matt Bodkin, Leon Lalite, Joe Carlos (Appiah 70), Lee Roache, Cliff Akurang (Flack 61) Subs not used: Andre Charles-Foster, Phil Anderson, Danny Stubbs
