Bromley picked up a very hard fought point at Boreham Wood on Tuesday night thanks to a second half goal from Courtney Duffus in an entertaining game at a blustery Meadow Park. 

The only change from the draw with Maidenhead on Saturday saw Neil Smith bring in Frankie Raymond at left back with Chris Bush slotting into centre half duties to replace the injured Byron Webster, with Jack Holland taking the arm band.

The game got off to a slow start with both sides looking to play direct and the windy conditions not helping things as many balls went keeper to keeper. Michael Cheek had a shot saved by Nathan Ashmore when he latched on to a Raymond effort, but there was very little in the way of chances at either end. Boreham Wood improved as the half went on and had a good spell of possession with former Bromley man Corey Whitely having a goal bound effort blocked by Bush after a strong run.

The home side’s pressure finally paid off on 29 minutes when Tyrone Marsh hit a powerful shot from the edge of the area and it deflected past Mark Cousins in the Bromley goal for 1-0.

For a while the pace slowed following the goal, but Bromley finished the half brightly with a series of set pieces that saw them go into the break looking more positive. 

The second half saw Bromley start well with a series of corners and dead balls, Raymond almost catching Ahmore off his line with a free kick from near the half way line and their pressure finally told on 54 minutes when Luke Coulson put in a low cross from the right, which came out to Duffus on the edge of the box and the Irish striker powered the ball home to make it 1-1.

Play evened out from there with chances at both ends, Marsh forced a save from Cousins, while Coulson fired over for The Ravens after good work by Duffus.

Wood had a good spell around Bromley’s box, but The Ravens defence held out well, closing the ball down and denying them space. Gus Mafuta had a header saved by Cousins, but then Bromley went close when Bush’s long throw found Charlie Wakefield who hit the top of the bar on the half volley.

With the game wide open a Coulson free kick was scrambled away as Michael Cheek almost scored, while Kabongo Tshimanga hit the side netting at the other end when well placed.

The Ravens continued to pose a threat from set pieces with Raymond sending in a dangerous ball that saw Joe Kizzi and Jack Holland have efforts cleared off the line before Wood scrambled the ball away to safety.

Kizzi played through Coulson with a long pass, but he shot wide and from there the home side had a good spell in the final few minutes. Marsh had a shot headed over by Bush and from the corner Kieran Murtagh was denied by a superb save from Cousins as he curled in a shot from distance, turning it around the post to secure the point for his side.

In the end a draw was a fair result over the piece and both managers will be happy with their teams efforts. Bromley move up to twelfth in the table as they prepare to host Altrincham at home on Saturday afternoon.

B Wood: Ashmore, Pearce, Fyfield, Ilesamni, Smith, Murtagh, Mafuta, Whitely, Marsh, Morais (Coulthirst 86), Tshimanga.

Subs Not Used: Stephens, Francis-Angol, Huddart, McDonnell.  

Bromley: Cousins, Kizzi, Bush, Holland, Raymond, Bridge (Wakefield 38), Trotter, Bingham, Coulson, Duffus, Cheek.

Subs Not Used: Arthurs, Roberts, Alabi, Williamson. 

Goals: Wood – Marsh 29mins – Bromley – Duffus 54mins. 

Ref: Mr Scott Tallis.