Bromley and Walsall played out their second two all draw of the season on Thursday night at Hayes Lane as they served up a very entertaining game for those in the ground and watching on Sky Sports Football.
The Ravens went into the match with pre-game injury doubt Michael Cheek starting despite a facial injury picked up at Tranmere and Harry McKirdy returning to the bench. Playing a 4-5-1 formation.
Things got off to a lively start with both sides looking to attack, but it was Bromley who got the early breakthrough when Cheek and Cameron Congreve linked up down the left and the Welsh U21 International crossed the ball to Ben Thompson who drove a spectacular shot home from 25 yards out to put Andy Woodman’s team 1-0 on 7 minutes.
The game was even even from there, The Saddlers bringing on Levy Amantchi after 19 minutes, the striker having joined Walsall from Bromley in January.
Jamille Matt had the visitors’ first shot when Grant Smith saved low down at his near post and the home keeper denied Liam Gordon soon after. Cheek had a goal ruled out for offside, before Amantchi went close for Walsall, firing over from a tight angle.
Matt was booked for a foul on Byron Webster as things developed a physical edge and from another free kick Adam Mayor’s cross was headed wide by Cheek.
It was after a strong spell of pressure from Bromley that The Saddlers drew level when a long throw into the box made it’s way to Amantchi who turned a crashed the ball past Smith to make it 1-1 right at the break, cupping his ear to the jeers from the North Terrace.
The second half saw Kamarl Grant have to go off injured and Corey Whitely deputise at right back, doing a very solid job for The Ravens.
Walsall started looking to press, but this time it was Bromley who would score against the run of play, Cheek picking out the run of McKirdy from midfield who put a sublime chip over Sam Hornby from the edge of the area to make it 2-1 to The Ravens.
Walsall had a strong spell from there, Taylor Allen forcing a save from Smith and after a good spell their equaliser eventually came on 69 minutes when Jamies Jellis and Connor Barrett combined down the right and Barrett sent in a waist high cross that Matt converted from close range to make it 2-2.
Matt was very fortunate to stay on the pitch soon after when he caught Webster with an elbow, but escaped a second yellow card, despite the Referee awarding a a free kick to the home side.
In a frantic final fifteen minutes both sides pressed for a winner, but neither could get the breakthrough and it ended all square, which was a fair result over the piece.
The draw sees Bromley stay tenth in League Two, while Walsall remain top, three points in front of Bradford City. The Ravens now have ten days off before their trip to Carlisle Utd on 22nd March.
Bromley – Smith, Grant (Whitely 45), Elerewe, Webster, Mayor, Arthurs, Thompson, Congreve (Ilunga 74), Charles (Dennis 88), Cheek (Kabamba 88).
Subs Not Used: Sowunmi, Long, Odutayo.
Walsall – Hornby, Weir, Okagbue, McEntee, Comley, Allen, Jellis, Barrett, Matt, Harrison (Amantchi 19).
Subs not Used: Adomah, Lakin, Smirkin, Stirk, Wheatley, Williams.
Goals: BFC – Thompson 7, McKirdy 55mins. WFC – Amantchi 45, Matt 69mins.
HT 1-1 FT 2-2
Referee: Reubyn Ricardo
Attendance: 2512