A match low on quality and more notable for the state of the Eastleigh pitch saw Bromley fail to match their recent high standards and Eastleigh take advantage with two fortuitous goals.

Much had been spoken about the condition of the Eastleigh surface prior to the game and how recent visiting sides had struggled to adapt to it. Tonight was to prove no different for visitors Bromley as the pitch more resembled a sand pit than a surface fit for football. It was no surprise therefore that for large periods of the game the ball spent more time in the air or off the pitch.

Interim manager Neil Smith had sprung a surprise in the starting line-up with Bradley Goldberg, fresh off his double salvo on Saturday, starting ahead of Moses Emmanuel upfront. However it was to prove a fruitless night for Goldberg as Bromley were unable to really get going in the final third.

The first half was ultimately where the match was lost for Bromley as time and again they struggled to get any momentum going forward and struggled to clear lines effectively given the uncertain bounce off the surface.

As early as the 5^th minute Eastleigh served notice of what was to come, when Joe Partington did well to beat Joe Anderson and send in an excellent cross but Lee Cook could only sidefoot wide when well set inside the penalty area.

Yemi Odubade was next to go close when he latched onto a long through ball but as he bore down on the penalty area he sent his dipping volley over the crossbar much to the relief of Alan Julian in the Bromley goal.

With Bromley finding it increasingly difficult to clear their lines under pressure from Eastleigh players and the pitch, a Jai Reason free-kick in the 20^th minute caused great confusion which Odubade could not the finishing touch to when well set in the box. However as Bromley tried to clear from out of the sand dunes, Jamie Turley reacted quickest to bend a shot just wide of the post.

It came as no surprise when Eastleigh opened the scoring four minutes later, although the manner in which they did so was farcical. A long ball punted forward was chased down by Odubade and Jack Holland but as Holland left it for the on-rushing Julian to clear, his clearance was only successful in rebounding off Odubade and spinning slowly into the Bromley net from 20 yards out.

Worse was to follow in the 32^nd minute. More good work down the Eastleigh right between Partington and Luke Coulson led to the latter crossing for Reason, however before Reason could fire an attempt at the Bromley goal Ben Chorley was able to put in a firm challenge. Yet again, however, the conditions were to favour the home side as the rebound from the challenge bobbled nicely in the sand for Reason to be able to dispatch a calm sidefoot finish beyond Julian.

The half time whistle came as welcome relief for Bromley as they had posed little to no threat going forward and were in clear need of a re-jig and reorganisation. That Bromley came out for the second half with more purpose and vigour was further testament to that fact.

Ali Fuseini was the first to go close for the revitalised ravens with a snapshot from 25 yards that whistled past Ross Flitney’s left post. However the real turning point was to come with the introduction of Moses Emmanuel for Goldberg in the 65^th minute. Almost immediately Emmanuel created an opportunity for Lee Minshull, when his right wing cross was headed unto the roof of the net by the latter.

Moments later neat interchange, on the edge of area, between Adam Cunnington and Pierre Joseph-Dubois led to the latter having his low effort saved by Flitney.

As Bromley grew more and more into the game their best opportunity of the half fell to Cunnington again, in 71^st minute. A Joe Anderson corner curled all the way to the far post where an onrushing Cunnington inexplicably skied high and wide when it seemed easier to hit the target.

Perhaps sensing that was the golden opportunity to get back into the game, the match then lulled into an uninspiring final twenty minutes. The final chance of the game was to also fall to Bromley deep into injury time, however, as Emmanuel ran on to Cunnington’s flick on he could only place his sidefoot effort into the side netting from a tight angle.

As interim manager Neil Smith reflected after the game, the contest had indeed been won in the first half and despite Bromley huffing and puffing in the second half with a lot more positive endeavour. Ultimately the lacklustre approach to the first half was not in keeping with the recent standards of the unbeaten run and Bromley were duly punished as a consequence.

 

Eastleigh:  Ross Flitney, Joe Partington, Dan Harding Josh Payne, Will Evans, Jamie Turley (James Constable, 46), Lee Cook (Michael Green, 86), Luke Coulson, Matt Tubbs, Jai Reason, Yemi Odubade (Jack Midson, 75).

Subs not used: Michael Poke Tom Holland.

Goals: Odubade 25, Reason 34

 

Bromley:  Alan Julian, Rob Swaine, Jack Holland, Pierre Joseph-Dubois, Adam Cunnington, Joe Anderson, Lee Minshull, Sean Francis, Bradley Goldberg (Moses Emmanuel, 65), Ben Chorley (Ali Fuseini, 46), Rohdell Gordon (Louis Dennis, 72).

Subs not used: Ben May, Adam Coombes

 

Referee: Mr Adam Bromley

Attendance: 1520