Although some of the 3,646 crowd will have been disappointed at Alan Pardew’s choice of line up, they won’t have been disappointed with the quality of football on display in an entertaining game between Bromley and their Premier League neighbours at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.

After a cagey start Palace started to play some really nice football and dominate with Martin Kelly having a header saved by Alan Julian and Freddie Ladapo firing over.

As Bromley settled Tobi Sho-Silva crossed for Joe Howe who has his effort blocked and Adam Cunnington headed a Dave Martin corner wide.

But it was no surprise when Palace took the lead on 19 minutes as Luke Croll crossed for Jonathan Williams who knocked the ball down for Sullay Kaikai to convert from close range.

The Ravens rallied to falling behind with Blair Turgott intercepting a poor clearance by Kleton Perntreou, sending the ball back over the keeper, but also over the bar.

Sho-Silva hit a spectacular overhead kick just over and also forced a save from Perntreou before The Eagles grabbed a second goal.

A powerful run from Welsh International Williams left the home defence standing before was brought down by Max Porter just outside the box only for Kaikai to convert the resulting free kick with a superb curling effort just inside the near post.

Late in the half Reece Presedge had an effort saved for Bromley, but the visitors were well worth their lead.

Palace started the second half well, Ladapo went close again and they posed a constant threat down the left with Croll pushing forward, but the whole side kept the ball brilliantly and moved it around with confidence and pace.

The game drifted around the hour mark with lots of changes on either side, but Ladapo put a header over from another good Croll cross.

Late on Aldo Arce played in Brad Goldberg who fired over and then with six minutes left Bromley grabbed a goal when George Porter battled his was into the box and under pressure managed to turn it into Dan Ajakayie’s path who diverted it past Perntreou and just inside the post.

The real test now comes on Saturday for Neil Smith’s side as The National League campaign begins with a home match against Tranmere Rovers, Smith stating that he won’t know what players he will have to choose from until Friday when the squad is finalised.

 

Bromley: Julian, Howe, Anderson, Holland, Chorley, Turgott, Prestedge, M Porter, Martin, Cunnington, Sho-Silva.

Subs: Johnson, Osbourne, Makashini, Dymond, G Porter, Goldberg, Arce, Huxter, Ajakaiye.

Palace: Perntreou, Wynter, Kelly, Phillips, Croll, Boateng, Dreher, Chung-Yong, J Williams, Kaikai, Ladapo.

Subs: McAddam, Berkeley-Acheampong, Hussin, Woods, R Willams, Anderson.

Goals: Palace: Kaikai 19 & 31mins, Bromley: Ajakaiye 84mins.

HT 0-2 FT 1-2

Att: 3,646