The Blues fell to their first league defeat at the Gallacher Stadium against a strong Maidstone side which featured some players who are already playing regular senior football in the Ryman league.
Bromley were competitive and started well, on 3 minutes Daniel Ajakayie’s through ball found Shamal Edwards whose shot was parried away by the keeper. Both teams shared some initial possession however on 15 minutes Bromley had to deal with a succession of maidstone corners and crosses one of which produced a good save from keeper Noel Keeble. Bromley kept good shape and defended well and whilst Maidstone dominated the remainder of the half the threat came mainly from crosses and set pieces. On 22 minutes Oscar Kotting-McMillan made a fantastic tackle from a right wing cross to deny the onrushing Maidstone striker and he was on hand again to block well a few minutes later. Between these up the other end Matt Bennett cut in from the left but his right footed shot was off target. Bromley’s resistance was broken on 36 minutes when a corner was headed home by Maidstones powerful Centre Back who had a really good game. His header looping over Keeble who didn’t make the cross and Yaqin Mohammed on the line could only help the ball into the roof of the net as he tried desperately to hook the ball to safety.
The second half saw Bromley’s performance grow as they enjoyed greater possession for a 20 minute period and began to win free kicks in dangerous areas, the best of which on 55 minutes saw Bennett shoot into the wall whilst another flashed across the goal mouth just needing a touch. Ajakayie’s runs from deep were causing the Maidstone back four some problems.
However just when it seemed that Bromley had grown into the game and looked a good bet for an equaliser, Maidstone got the crucial and decisive second gaol when the Blues trying to play out from deep misplaced a pass and the ball was shifted from left to right for the Maidstone striker to calmly slot home past Keeble. Keeble later made a great parry from a cross from the Maidstone right winger who had a really good game mixing up some great crosses and also coming off the line inside to cause the Blues problems.
Bromley almost threw themselves a lifeline when Ajakayie replied almost immediately but his run and shot was saved well by the onrushing keeper. Maidstone then totally dominated for the final 10 minutes, however Ajakayie had half a penalty appeal turned down when he was bundled over on 81 minutes and then straight after full back Sam Nicholson-Scott’s run and cross flashed across the goal with Bennett a yard away from it at the far post.
Michak Stanic-Stewart received the man of the match award with an assured display at Centre back for the Blues where he largely kept the Maidstone target players at bay. Michak’s Centre Back partner Oscar Kotting McMillan also done well in particular making two crucial tackles and blocks. In midfield the pairing of Ethan Frederick and 1st year Victor Naranjo impressed with both their work rate and being brave to keep getting on the ball and trying to play our way through, the focus of what we have asked from them in recent training sessions.
In terms of development a largely positive and promising display from the Blues against a good Maidstone side.
Next up for the Blues an away trip to Corinthian Casuals in the FCYA League Cup.
Man of the Match: Michak Stanic-Stewart