Bromley progressed through to the next round of the FA Trophy with a second half comeback against old rivals Sutton at a wet and windy Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon.

The game got off to an open start with both teams taking the direct route to goal, Kieron Cadogan put and early chance over for Sutton and Charlie Clough also went close. Adam Mekki put The Ravens first chance wide before Josh Taylor curled a long range effort just off target for the visitors.

Bromley keeper David Gregory was very unlucky to be booked on 20 mins after Brandon Asante-Thomas took the ball past him and then fell dramatically to the ground just outside the box.

Asante-Thomas had a far more positive impact soon after though, when he sent in a superb 25 yard effort that sailed past Gregory and crashed into the top corner of the net.

Bromley rallied with JJ Hooper heading over a Frankie Raymond cross. There was a long delay for an injury to Bradley Pearce going into the break with Sutton deservedly in front.

The second half saw Bromley come out looking far more cohesive and positive, Sam Wood crossed for Hooper who just missed with a sliding challenge and then George Porter sent a curling effort just wide from the edge of the area.

Porter then again hit a powerful shot, which this time deflected over, but The Ravens did equalise from the resulting corner, Raymond’s dead ball being headed home by Hooper in a crowded area, his first goal for the club on loan from Grimsby Town.

Then a minute later Bromley were in front, this time a Frankie Sutherland corner finding Porter to turn the ball home past former Bromley keeper Jamie Butler. Sutton looked visibly rattled, Hooper and Luke Coulson went close as The Ravens moved the ball round well and pressed for a third.

Richard Brindley fired wide after a great passing move and Sutherland had a low drive well saved by Butler. When Sutton did get going again they couldn’t get past Jake Goodman, who denied Darren McQueen with a great saving tackle and then cleared another shot off the line after a rare mistake from Gregory.

Late on Raymond had a free kick deflected over off the wall after a foul on Joe Quigley, but the single goal margin was enough to see Neil Smith’s side through to the next round of the competition in which they reached the final at Wembley last season.

Bromley are back in National League action on Saturday when they entertain Maidenhead Utd at Hayes Lane, looking to carry on with their good performance and turn it into points.

 

Bromley: Gregory, Brindley, Goodman, Holland, Mekki (Quigley 85), Sutherland, Raymond, Porter, Coulson (Johnson 90), Hooper (Ogedi-Uzokwe 77).

Subs Not Used: Okoye, Goddard.

Sutton: Butler, Bennett, Clough, Davis, Cadogan (McQueen 68), Eastmond, Bailey, Pearce (Beckwith 36), Taylor (Beautyman 76), Asante-Thomas.

Subs Not Used: Brown,

Goals: Bromley – Hooper 60, Porter 61mins. Sutton – Thomas-Asante 27mins.

Ref: Mr S Allison

HT 0-1 FT 2-1

Att:776