Following their impressive victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park in December, Bromley’s U18 side made their way to the County Ground to take on Swindon Town, looking to reach the Fourth Round.
The Ravens almost found themselves a goal down three minutes in, but brave goalkeeping from Ryan McCourt kept the scores level, as he slid in to block a low effort from the corner of the six yard box.
Bromley responded immediately, with Liam Vincent’s speculative effort from distance forcing an excellent save from the Town goalkeeper, who tipped it over the crossbar.
However, on 13 minutes, the Ravens would be given a real chance to open the scoring. After a foul on Soul Kader, referee Sam Read pointed to the spot. Vincent stepped up to take it, but saw his low effort saved.
Just seven minutes later, Swindon were awarded a spot kick of their own. Up stepped Harry Parsons, and he made no mistake, confidently placing his effort down the middle.
Bromley’s afternoon wasn’t made any easier when Andreas Aranganathan was forced off with an injury on 27 minutes. And only five minutes after that, the hosts would score again. Max Whitfield curled a 20 yard free kick past McCourt and into the bottom corner, doubling his side’s lead.
Two then became three on 39 minutes as Parsons netted his second, powering his way into the box and finishing coolly under pressure, sending the Robins into the break with a three goal cushion.
As action packed and eventful as the first half was, the second would be anything but. The hosts were content with holding their lead, and failed to threaten McCourt in the Bromley goal.
The Ravens made two changes and put together some neat attacking play, with Atarhe Igbesoko causing the Town defence issues with his pace. Yet, like Swindon, Bromley didn’t test the goalkeeper.
Although it wasn’t to be, each and every one of the players and coaches who were a part of this journey have made history, having far exceeded the Club’s previous FA Youth Cup runs.
Bromley XI: McCourt, Motobaluti (Sablier), Vincent, Smith, McCarthy (C), Akabuogu, Fisher, Obembe (Igbesoko), Aranganathan (Lewis), Krauhaus, Kader
Unused substitutes: Nicholas, Bennett, Reid-Newth, Jackson