Bromley stumbled at the final hurdle in their quest to reach a third FA Trophy at Wembley in six years losing to promotion rivals, Solihull Moors on Saturday.

It was the Moors that triumphed, 2-1, in a pulsating semi-final at a windy Hayes Lane in a game of two halves in front of a crowd of over 4,000. 

A full-strength Bromley welcomed back keeper Grant Smith from suspension as well as Krauhaus and Passley from injury and had high hopes of breaking the stupor that has affected the team in recent home matches. 

Unfortunately, it was more of the same in the first half although the blustery conditions may have played a part. An uneventful first twenty minutes, saw both teams sizing the other up with the flow affected by physical tussles and overhit passes. Bromley were playing some tidy football predominantly down the left whilst Jay Benn’s long throws were proving to represent Solihull’s greatest threat.

Some good interplay between Olamola and Odutayo in the 24^th minute saw the latter cut in from the wing to set up Arthurs, but he dwelt a fraction too long and shot tamely into a crowd of defenders. The defensive arts were on top with Krahuas creating a few turnovers and Solihull’s Whitmore making one critical tackle to stop Passley from going though on goal after a knock down by Cheek. 

Bromley were losing the physical duels in midfield and the game burst into life in the 35^th minute as Solihull’s Benton raced onto a slide rule pass from the impressive Osbourne but with only the keeper to beat, he pulled his shot wide. Moments later Webster was beaten by Benton to a ball into the box who again bore down on the Bromley goal only for the impressive Odutayo to extend a long leg to miraculously nick the ball to safety. 

Solihull continued to press and got their reward a minute later when the Bromley goal appeared to have lived a charmed life. Passley’s header off the line fell to Whitmore on the left of the area who crashed in a volley that was battered away by Smith. Bromley’s relief was short-lived, however, as the assistant referee indicated that the ball had crossed the line. The 339 Solihull fans began to dream of Wembley.

Bromley were struggling to cope with Solihull’s pacey counter-attacks and physicality, but managed a rare opening in the 38^th minute as Odutayo’s cross just evaded Passley but dropped onto the feet of a surprised Cheek only to rebound wide. Bromley’s respite was short-lived as Solihull pressed again and the influential Osborn thundered a 25-yard effort against the post at the end of the half. The Ravens were happy to get into the dressing room only a goal down.

Both teams returned for the second half unchanged, and it was Solihull again that had the first clear cut chance. Benton snuck in ahead of Webster, but Smith was alive to the danger and charged down the effort. The momentum started to swing towards the Ravens as Bromley enjoyed more possession and Kirk missed a good opportunity when he failed to connect with a dangerous Odutayo corner.

When the influential Osbourne was replaced on 58 minutes there was a growing sense that the tide was turning and so it proved. A minute later, the wind caught an Odutayo free kick that hit the post, the ball pinged out falling to Krauhaus on the penalty spot who made a clean connection to rifle the ball past Hayes to level the match and trigger frenetic scenes from the Bromley support. 

The wind started to carry a bite as Bromley bared their teeth and they continued to press forward with intensity. Solihull became entrenched in their own half and had the stoic Whitmore to thank for clearing off the line in the 65^th minute. Another Odutayo cross was headed tamely over by Olamola a few minutes later.

Against the run of play, however, Solihull delivered a hammer blow. In the 73^rd minute Kirk had cleared off the line from a set piece and in the melee that ensued it was that man Whitmore who rose unmarked to loop a soft goal from 5 yards over a despairing Smith. Worse nearly followed a couple of minutes later as Smith was forced into an amazing treble save when it seemed a third goal was inevitable.

This proved to be Solihull’s last notable action, however, as Bromley threw everything into seeking an equaliser. Dennis replaced Olamola in the 75^th minute and shortly afterwards Arthurs and Kirk made way for Vennings and Taylor-Hart. A barrage of crosses flashed across the box in vain until the 87^th minute when Hayes was forced into a full length save to tip a rasping goal-bound header.

The crowd cheered the announcement of 9 minutes of injury time and Bromley came so close to snatching the draw deep into the period. An excellent Taylor-Hart cross was helped on by Dennis who found Cheek at the back post and with the goal at his mercy his weak header unbelievably flashed wide. 

Bromley have a second chance to reach Wembley through the league play offs this season, but it is Solihull that will deservedly face Gateshead in this season’s FA Trophy Final. Should Solihull lift the trophy on 11^th May they will have the heroic Whitmore to thank! 

Bromley travel to Barnet on Tuesday 9^th then host Solihull in the league next Saturday 13^th April and will no doubt be thirsting for revenge.

Team line ups

Bromley: Smith, Passley, Reynolds, Webster, Kirk (77 Taylor-Hart), Odutayo, Arthurs (77 Vennings), Krauhaus, Whitely, Olamola (75 Dennis), Cheek.

Unused subs: Thomas, Grant, Topalloj, Weston.

Solihull: Hayes, Clarke, Newton, Osborne (Beck 58), Maycock, Shade, Labadie, Benton, Benn, Boateng (Mafuta 89), Whitmore.

Unused subs: Howell, Morrison, Stearman, Craig, Flahavan.

Attendance: 4,048 (339 from Solihull)