With only one point separating Bromley and Southend United in the league it was hardly surprising that the teams could not be separated and would have to settle for a goalless draw in front of a bumper holiday crowd of over 3,000 at Hayes Lane on New Year’s Day.

Both sides were well prepared for this fixture having played at Roots Hall on Boxing Day in a match that Bromley surprisingly won thanks to a second half strike from Dennis.  

The only change for Bromley was in goal with the welcome return of Charles-Cook who had spent the Boxing Day fixture cheering on the team while sitting with the traveling support. Smith can feel unlucky to have lost his place in goal but Charles-Cook resplendent in his bright orange kit brought agility and energy to the defence. 

Bromley had the clearer chances in the game, but Southend pressed the ball well throughout and enjoyed their best goal scoring opportunities when they forced Bromley into a couple of mistakes. A heavy touch by Webster nearly led to Southend opening the scoring in as early as the second minute as former Bromley winger, Bridge, was released down the right only to screw his rising shot wide of the far post. 

After a moment of pinball in the Bromley box, Southend saw another good effort blaze over the bar in the ninth minute as Bromley struggled to get any foothold in the Southend box. Woodman stuck with the 442 formation that had served him so well at Roots Hall and the Dennis/Whitley partnership continues to be a highlight. Bromley nearly struck in the 23^rd minute as Dennis won possession just outside the area and feinted past a defender before pushing the ball left into the path of Whitely who saw his low shot deflect off the near post and into touch.  

Marriot limped off to be replaced by Cheek a minute later, but the rest of the half was a cagey affair with most of Southend’s attacks coming through Bridge down the Bromley right. Webster and the reliable Reynolds marshalled Bromley’s exciting young fullbacks, Fisher and the on loan Topalloj, safely through the remainder of the half. Bromley survived a penalty scare in injury time as Cardwell went down rather easily in the box only for the referee to wave play on. 

Following the break, a weak Charles-Cook clearance handed the Shrimpers a good chance in the 51^st minute but Miley fired over. Neither team managed to establish any dominance and Coleman was booked on the 60^th for nullifying a dangerous counter, a role he performed well all afternoon.  

The game sprang to life on the 70^th minute, however, with Powell’s low drive being dealt well by Bromley’s Charles-Cook. Bromley quickly transitioned from defence into attack as Forster found some space down the touchline on the right. His pin-point cross was met with a majestic leap from Cheek whose goal-bound header across the goal was somehow tipped over by a fantastic reaction save by Noukeu.   

The crowd was on its feet again a few minutes later as Coleman slipped the ball to Forster who charged 30 yards down the middle of the pitch only to blast his shot narrowly over the Southend goal and much to the relief of the 600 visiting supporters. Southend had some joy from substitute, Fonguck down the left in the closing stages as Bromley conceded a few late free kicks on the edge of the area, but their goal was never seriously threatened and both teams will probably have been happy to take a point from this evenly matched game. Bromley will be looking to extend their five-game unbeaten league run at Altrincham on Saturday, 7^th January.  

Team line ups 

Bromley: Charles-Cook, Webster (C), Reynolds, Fisher, Topalloj, Coleman, Arthurs, Dennis, Whitely, Forster (Krauhaus 77min), Marriott (Cheek 24min). 

Unused subs: Smith, Sowunmi, Vennings. 

Southend: Noukeu, Ralph (C), Kensdale, Bridge, Husin (Fonguck 67min), Powell (Wreh 82min), Taylor, Miley, Lopata, Cardwell, Demetriou. 

Unused subs: Lomas, Murphy, Coker. 

Referee: Swallow 

Attendance: 3,256 (598 from Southend)