Bromley’s youngsters progressed to the next round of the FA Youth Cup despite playing for over an hour with ten men at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.
A mixture of first and second year Academy students gelled well and played some really nice football against a decent Eastbourne side.
Bromley got off to a flyer and made it 1-0 in the first minute when Sam Norton finished off a slick move. Harry Bugden went close soon after before The Ravens made it 2-0 on 12mins when Mateo Badchkan set up Tom O’Connor who finished with a low drive in off the post.
Eastbourne were handed a way back into the game soon after though when a rash challenge from home keeper Harry Doona on Ben Farrat conceded a penalty. Patryck Misziewicz converted the spot kick to make it 2-1 on 16mins.
Both sides created chances from then on in the half, but Bromley were dealt a massive blow on 32mins when Norton was shown a second yellow card for a poor challenge and the home side were reduced to ten men. Eastbourne created one chance late in the half, but Doona saved from Alex Nelson.
The second half saw Bromley start well and go on and dominate the play despite their numerical disadvantage, Budgen had an effort saved by Callum Baldwin and he also hit the bar with a header from the resulting corner.
Surprisingly Eastbourne chose to sit very deep and let The Ravens take the initiative. Baris Bozygit forced another save from Baldwin and Bugden went close after good work by O’Connor. Badchkam fired over and Bugden flicked a Bozygit free kick just wide as the home side pushed for a third.
But as Bromley tired Eastbourne had a late spell of pressure, Charlie Osbourne coming close with a free kick that just went over and then a corner that went across the face of the goal, but evaded everyone in a crowded six yard box. Bromley held out though and secured a place in the next round away to Cray Wanderers.
Bromley: Doona, Hibbert, Turner, Oduncu, Williams-Agunabor, McGrady, Badchkam, Bozygit, Norton, O’Connor, Bugden.
Subs: Baldwin, Carter, Fosu, Higgs, Caton.
Star Man: Harry Bugden (Bromley)
Match Rating 4/5
Goals: Bromley – Norton 1min, O’Connor 12mins.
Eastbourne – Miszkiewicz 16mins Pen
Referee: Mr D Wyatt