Bromley’s last pre-season game ended in defeat as they paid the price for not taking a copious amount of chances and conceded a late penalty to a young Charlton side who had been on the back foot for most of the game, but held out.

 

The Ravens started positively with George Porter shooting over and Luke Coulson setting up Reeco Fairchild-Hackett whose shot was well saved by Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

Fairchild-Hackett, who was desperate to make an impression against the side he played for last season, then lit the game up with a superb turn on the edge of the box leaving two defenders standing before firing his shot against the post.

The young winger went close again soon after and then Chris Bush headed a Frankie Raymond free kick wide when well placed. The Addicks first chance came to Charles Clayton, but his shot was saved by Mark Cousins who had been a spectator to that point.

Billy Bingham had a shot deflected over for a corner and Marc-Anthony Okoye headed the set piece over the bar as Bromley continued to press, but lack that vital touch in front of goal. Late in the half Maynard-Brewer made a superb double save from Coulson and Raymond from close range and the also went on to deny Fairchild-Hackett and Coulson again to keep the game tied at zero.

The second half started in similar fashion with Maynard-Brewer tipping over a defensive header for a corner before saving an effort from Porter.

Toby Stevenson went close for Charlton before around the hour mark saw mass changes and Neil Smith switch shape from 4-4-1-1 to 4-4-2. Wilberforce Orcan fired wide from the edge of the box for the visitors while at the other end Korey Henry was denied by Maynard-Brewer after a quick passing move up field.

Then with four minutes left Ravens defender Bush made a clumsy challenge on a Charlton trialist and Referee Howard pointed to the spot. James Vennings coolly slotted the penalty into the net, sending Cousins the wrong way and securing an unlikely win for Jason Euell’s young Addicks side.

Bromley now travel to Chorley next Saturday for the opening fixture of the National League season knowing they need to find their goal scoring knack, which has been illusive over the pre-season campaign with only one of the three main strikers finding the net.

Bromley: Cousins, Kizzi, Wood, Okoye (Holland 65), Bush, Coulson (Mekki 76), Bingham, Raymond, Fairchild-Hackett (Tanner 76), Porter (Henry 66), Cheek (Clifton 60).

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Powell, Stevenson, Maloney, Keefe, Mingi, Quiltirna, Vennings, Tiralist, Odah, Clayton. Subs: Trialist, Harness, Vega, Allsopp, Tialist, Ocran, Rialist, Trialist, Isiaka.

Goal:  Vennings (Pen) 86mins

Ref: Mr Paul Howard