A single goal after only six minutes was enough to settle this EFL Youth Alliance Cup Final at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night between Bromley’s Under 18s and Burton Albion’s Under 18s, with the League One side taking the honours in front of a good crowd.
After the early exchanges the first effort on goal proved to be the vital one, when a deep cross from the left was met by Kye Bilton at the far post and he headed home to put The Brewers 1-0 up on six minutes.
Bromley had a lot more of the ball from there, but the Albion midfield and defence proved difficult to break down and were dangerous on the break. Archie Cassidy had The Ravens first effort on goal, firing narrowly wide from long range after some good build up play.
As the half went on both sides had spells of pressure, but Burton had the better chances with Bodi Thistleton striking the inside of the post when connecting with another cross from the left, with the ball bouncing out to safety.
The second half saw Bromley start brightly, George Evans had a header saved by Lewis Cleland, while Dawid Przybylo fired over and Evans was then denied by Cleland again.
With one floodlight at Hayes Lane not working, the far corner of pitch was a little gloomy, but Referee Howard Collins made the sensible decision to carry on with the match.
Albion’s Zach Scutt had a shot from distance saved by Rex Porter, before Pryzbylo had a shot deflected wide for Bromley. From the resulting corner Daniel Matthews headed the ball off the line under pressure to preserve Albion’s lead.
Late on Josh Taroni had a shot saved by Porter at his near post after a strong run, before The Ravens pressed for an equaliser in the six minutes of injury time.
Despite their best efforts, including putting everyone up for a corner, Bromley just couldn’t find a way through Burton’s well drilled back line and the visitors held out to win the cup, showing that little bit more quality over the game.
Bromley: Porter, O’Neill, Cassidy, Hilden, Mahmut, Paye, Mann, Borders, Evans, Hards, Ibrahim.
Subs: Humphries, Przybylo, Essien, Cockerill, Zhelayazkov.
Burton: Cleland, Bilton, Taroni, Thistleton, Earley, Matthews, Krubally, Willow, Svaro, Newal, Mtenga.
Subs: Tootell, Jones, Lay, Hyde, Scutt.
Goal: Bilton 6mins.
HT 0-1 FT 0-1
Referee: Howard Collins