Bromley 2 – 2 Wealdstone
Bromley2 - 2
WealdstoneWealdstone held on for a valuable point against 10th placed Bromley at Hayes Lane, after being pegged back from an explosive start.
Early goals from Stones’ Ryan Gondoh and Connor Smith were cancelled out by efforts from the Ravens’ Byron Webster and Michael Cheek as the teams played out an enthralling 2-2 draw.
Manager Stuart Maynard made one change to the side that was convincingly beaten by Solihull Moors on Tuesday evening, with Danny Green replacing the injured Nikola Tavares in the starting line-up.
The Stones made the perfect, taking the lead in style after just six minutes of play as Gondoh shrugged off two defenders and curled a fantastic effort into the bottom corner past Bromley’s Mark Cousins to notch his first goal for the club.
The Ravens nearly levelled immediately when Cheek played in Liam Vincent, but Riley Harbottle was on hand to make a crucial block for the visitors and thwart a certain goal.
Wealdstone’s perfect start continued as they doubled their advantage in the 18th minute when Smith looped his header in off of the far post after a pinpoint cross from Dennon Lewis.
Bromley reduced the deficit shortly after as captain Webster rose highest to header home Liam Vincent’s excellent corner past Harry Isted on the 25th minute mark and send the contest wide open.
The home side probed further for an equaliser, with Jack Bridge and Ben Williamson coming close to scoring in the first half.
A minute before the interval, Jacob Mendy unleashed a trademark thunderous strike from the edge of the box, but Taylor Maloney managed to charge down his effort.
The Ravens were straight out of the traps in the second half, almost scoring instantly as Cheek latched onto Chris Bush’s header, but the striker fired his effort wide.
Three minutes later, Cheek was in on goal again after Williamson’s cross deflected into his path, but Bromley’s number nine could only fire wide again.
The Ravens continued to press for an equaliser and generated another chance in the 64th minute when Jude Arthurs’ deep cross was headed wide by Vincent.
However, Bromley were rewarded for their persistence, finally drawing level in the 74th minute as Cheek slotted past Isted from inside the box.
On the stroke of fulltime, the hosts were awarded a dangerous a free kick on the edge of the box, but substitute Luke Coulson’s effort was curled straight into the wall.
Late drama followed as Ashley Charles was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time.
Wealdstone return to action on Bank Holiday Monday 5th April, when they host Barnet at The Vale, in a 3pm kick-off.
WEALDSTONE: Isted, Harbottle, Okimo (c), Cawley, Mendy, Charles, Phillips (Dyer 69), Smith, Gondoh, Green, Lewis (Fasanmade 76). Subs not used: Askew, Parish, Bowry.
BROMLEY: Cousins, Arthurs (Coulson 67), Kizzi, Webster (c), Bush, Trotter, Maloney (Raymond 67), Bridge, Vincent, Williamson (Alabi 87), Cheek. Subs not used: Najia, Wakefield.
Report by Nicole Cho-Yee
Matt Saunders post match interview HERE
Adam Williams match pics HERE
Jon Taffel match pics HERE
Match highlights HERE