A strong second half performance by Bromley saw them overcome a spirited Crystal Palace U23 side as the Ravens stepped up their pre-season preparations.
Although the margin of victory was only a solitary goal, given the dominance in the second half Bromley can consider themselves unlucky not to have underlined this with a larger scoreline.
The winning goal when it arrived came in unfortunate circumstances as Frankie Raymond saw his cross missed by, second half substitute, Kyle De Silva but deflect of the unsuspecting, Crystal Palace right-back, Sean Robertson to nestle into the corner of the goal.
Prior to the winning goal Bromley had struggled in the first half to really create much of note as their 5-3-2 formation provided defensive solidity but not much in terms of offensive creativity.
Other than a strong Daniel Johnson run from left wing back that ended with his dangerous cross failing to be turned in at the far post and a Frankie Raymond shot from the edge of the box Bromley failed to really get going.
Crystal Palace found it equally hard-going from an attacking standpoint. Both Tyrick Mitchell and Kian Flanagan tried their luck from distance but neither tested former Crystal Palace player David Gregory in the Bromley goal.
A change of formation in the second half, to a 4-4-2, saw Bromley take a stranglehold on the game as wingers (trialist) Reece Meekums and Bobby-Joe Taylor attacked with pace and purpose
Taylor was the first to show his intent with a fierce effort from 22 yards that fizzed over the crossbar.
Minutes later Marc-Anthony Okoye headed narrowly over from a Raymond cross.
Following neat midfield interchange between several Bromley players Jordan Higgs then saw his half volley skim the crossbar.
With Bromley unable to press home their advantage Crystal Palace nearly took the lead against the run of play, James Daly seeing his close range effort parried away by Gregory following Tyler Brown’s cross.
That was to be as good as it got for Palace in the second half as Bromley controlled the remainder of the proceedings.
Okoye saw his fine volleyed finish ruled out for a marginal offside decision before Robertson’s own goal gave Bromley the lead their play deserved.
There was still time for Bromley to nearly stretch their lead but Omar Bugiel could only hit the post after great link-up between Meekums and De Silva found the Lebanese target man in acres of space at the back post.
Bromley manager Neil Smith declared himself content with the workout post-match whilst hinting at possible further additions in the weeks to come before the curtain raiser on August 4th.
Bromley next entertain resurgent Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday in the Glyn Beverly Memorial Cup. The fixture will be played in memory of the late Glynn Beverly who sadly passed away earlier this year. Glynn was a former Bromley Chairman and President as well as serving on the committee at Dulwich Hamlet in the nineties.
Bromley: Gregory; Adebayo-Rowling, D Johnson, R Johnson (Meekums, 40), Holland (Goodman, 77), Raymond (Enver, 76), Bugiel (O’Halloran, 79), Porter, Taylor (De Silva, 62), Higgs, Okoye.
Subs not used: Sutherland, Burba (GK)
Crystal Palace XI: Henry (Tupper, 46); Mitchell, O’Dwyer (Robertson, 69), Woods, Brown; Hungbo (Baptiste, 79), McGregor (Pierrick, 87), Bryon (Boateng, 69), Lumeka (Addy, 85), Flanagan (Aveiro, 79); Daly (Street, 73).
Goal scorers / Time of goal:
Bromley: Robertson (og) 72
Referee: Mr J.Smith