A last second free kick goal from Corey Whitely saw Bromley draw with a young Arsenal side at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night, which was no more than their efforts deserved over the ninety minutes in an impressive display from Andy Woodman’s team that was missing Byron Webster and Michael Cheek. 

The Ravens got off to a lively start with the excellent Harry Forster crossing for George Alexander who had a shot saved by Tom Smith, the Arsenal keeper then denied Finlay Lovatt from the rebound and the third effort from Lovatt went wide of the far post.

Bromley continued to press The Gunners with Lovatt showing great footwork to create space and cross for Alexander who shot wide. Forster then broke down the left again and set up Alexander again, but this time his goal bound shot was blocked by an Arsenal defender.

Then with the home side on top it was the visitors who scored with their first shot on target, when George Lewis cut in from the right and drilled a low shot that beat Ravens trialist keeper at his near post for 0-1 on 19 minutes.

Lewis went close again soon after for The Gunners as the game opened up, while at the other end Forster set up Kellen Fisher who was denied by Smith in the Arsenal goal and he also played in Ben Krauhaus whose effort was blocked.

Late on in the half The Gunners went close twice when Kido Taylor-Hart had a shot saved and then Lewis crossed for Billy Vigar who slipped as he tried to connect with the cross at the far post. 

The second half saw Bromley start brightly again, Corey Whitely hit the top of the net with a curling effort from out on the left and The Ravens pressed for long spells. Matt Smith had a shot saved by Bromley’s other trialist keeper on a rare Arsenal attack, before Adam Marriott was denied by Smith and Fisher hit the side netting from the rebound.

A quiet spell followed after a host of changes before Arsenal had a couple of chances late on when Taylor-Hart and Lewis forced saves from the home keeper.

Then in injury time Whitely was brought down on the edge of the box and from the resulting free kick he curled the ball high into the top left hand corner of the net with the last kick off the game to equalise for Bromley.

The Ravens entertain a Chelsea XI at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon in their final pre-season game before the National League kicks off on 6th August. 

Bromley: Trialist A, Reynolds, Bush, Sowunmi, Sablier, Lovatt, Forster, Bingham, Fisher, Krauhaus, Alexander. Subs: Marriott, Smith, Arthurs, Whitely, Trialist B, Trialist C. 

Arsenal: T Smith, Sweet, Jeffcott, Foran, Ibrahim, M Smith, Lewis, Bandeira, Vigar, Olayinka, Taylor-Hart. Subs: Awe, Hilson, Butler-Oyedeji, Azeez, Monlouis.