In an entertaining & high scoring game, Bromley picked up two points from their first appearance in the EFL Trophy with a penalty shootout win over League One Cambridge United at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.
Both sides made several changes to the line ups from their games on Saturday and it was Bromley who made the perfect start to the match when a quick move down the right ended with Danny Imray cutting the ball back from the bye line for Marcus Dinanga to score his first goal for the club from six yards out after only 50 seconds.
With The Ravens looking to push their advantage further, Cameron Congreve forced a save from Jack Stevens and they pressed Cambridge for long spells who consistently looked to play out from the back.
After an open spell of play Andy Woodman’s side made it 2-0 on 22 minutes when a Lewis Leigh free kick from midfield found Omar Sowunmi at the far post and he directed the ball back towards goal for Dinanga to convert from close range.
From there Cambridge came back into things, Liam Bennett had a shot saved by Sam Long and from the resulting corner Danny Andrew had a header saved.
The visitors pressure finally paid off on 38 minutes when a quick passing move opened up the home defence and Bennett drove the ball past Long into the far corner for the net for 2-1 from just inside the area.
Just before the break United almost drew level, but Long made a good save from Andrews’ powerful strike and the home side were happy to hear the half time whistle.
The second half saw Bromley go close through Ashley Charles, before Cambridge had a another good spell of pressure, Andrew having a shot saved by Long at the near post.
With play opening up Amantchi shot wide after a strong run, but Gary Monk’s team then drew level on 59 minutes when a move down the right involving Bennett, Josh Stokes and Dan Barton ended with Barton scoring low past Long.
Stokes went close soon after, before Bromley were dealt a blow when the impressive Amantchi had to go off injured. Cambridge then took the lead for the first time in the match after 68 minutes, when Manny Longelo beat Long from the left with a great finish after another good passing move.
Stokes went close again for United and Charles drove just with for The Ravens, before Bromley finished the game on top as they pressed for an equaliser.
After a series of corners, the home side were gifted a third goal dead on 90 minutes, when Stevens let a back header from Andrews slip through his arms and Olufela Olomola pounced to coolly roll the ball into an empty net to make it 3-3.
There were no more goals in the seven added on minutes and the game went to penalties.
The first penalty of the shoot out saw Long make a good save from Andrew, with no further misses and Bromley scoring all five of their spot kicks, The Ravens picked up the bonus point winning 5-4.
Watched by just over a thousand, including a healthy contingent from Cambridge Utd, Bromley may have to re-think their pricing policy for the next game in the competition against Chelsea Uder 21s.
Andy Woodman will have been disappointed to let a lead slip again, but pleased by the character they showed to battle back and secure the draw.
The Ravens now return to League Two action as they travel to Colchester United on Saturday.
Bromley: Long, Odutayo, Foran, Sowunmi (Grant 79), Topalloj, Imray, Leigh (Arthurs 67), Charles, Congreve, Dinanga (Thomas 66), Amantchi (Olomola 66).
Subs Not Used: Paul-Lavely, Woods, Smith.
Cambridge: Stevens, Andrew, Digby, Rossi (Okedina 45), Longello, Brophy (Munday 90), Smith, Bennett, Barton (Morrison 80), Stokes, Njoku (Nlundulu 63).
Subs Not Used: Bulakio, Holmes, Reyes.
Goals: BFC – Dinanga 1 & 22mins, Olomola 90mins. CUFC – Bennett 38, Barton 59, Longelo 68mins.
HT 2-1 FT 3-3 Pens 5-4
Att:1,120
Referee: James Durkin