The last time these two sides met was in the FA Cup back in October 2006, when Grays were flying high in the Conference Premier and Bromley were in the Ryman Premier Division, with Mark Goldberg’s men performing a giant killing on the day.

This time round The Ravens were the team from a higher league while Grays were looking to pull off a similar feat and if they had shown a little more composure in front of goal they would have done just that.

The game got off to an open start with Bromley having a good shout for a penalty when Jordan Robertson was brought down in the box on their first attack, but Grays posed a real threat from set pieces with Jay Sivapathasundra’s deliver causing The Ravens defence plenty of problems.

Freddie Ladapo had an effort cleared off the line after a series of corners. Bromley slowly got better with Robertson shooting wide, Joe Anderson just off target and Harry Grant grazing the crossbar from 25 yards. Just before the break the home side had a good spell again, but the visitors defence held out.

The second half was an open, yet scrappy affair with chances at both ends. For Mark Goldberg’s men Robertson had an effort saved by Connor Gough and Damien Scanell was just off target with the rebound, while at the other end Jonathan Glowacki missed a great chance to open the scoring.

With Seb Brown stranded out of his goal, Glowacki had an open goal to aim at but his chipped effort from 30 yards drifted wide.

The Ravens rang the changes on the hour and sub Pierre Joseph-Dubois had a shot and a header tipped away by Gough as the visitors had their best spell off the game.

Fellow subs Moses Ademola and Duncan Culley also went close, but Grays also created chances with lively winger Jao Carlos setting up Dumebi Dumaka who headed wide when well placed.

Carlos went close himself soon after and he also set up Glowacki who fired wide from the edge of the box, and with the home side looking stronger Manny Parry headed narrowly wide from a set piece and Carlos fired over.

Late on though Bromley went close when Ademola was denied by Gough one on one and Danny Waldren headed wide from the resulting corner, but in the end neither side had that vital tough in front of goal.

The two sides will now have to do it all again on Tuesday night at Hayes Lane and hope for better fortune and cooler heads in front of goal.

 

Grays: Gough, Best, Sivapathasundra, Bentley, Parry, Leader, Glowacki (Zerafa 79), Beaney, Dumaka (Guy 70), Ladapo, Carlos (Marfo 88).

Subs Not Used:  Sampayo, Wilson, Wotten.

Bromley: Brown, Udoji, Anderson, Fuseini, Holandm Waldren, Scannell, Prestedge, Robertson (Culley 70), Birchall (Ademola 60), Grant (Dubois 58).

Subs Not Used: Agu, Dennis, Swaine, Bailey-Dennis.

Star Man: Connor Gough (Grays)

Match Rating: 2/5

Referee: Mr M George

Att: 350