With Rotherham United 12 games unbeaten and sitting third in League One, Bromley always knew that it would be a tough task to advance to round two of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 1947 and so it proved at Rotherham’s impressive New York Stadium as they fell to a 3-0 defeat.  

Since Andy Woodman took over as manager the Ravens have been tough to beat, and they competed very well for periods of the game. Bromley (playing in blue) started with a settled team and the only change to the side that beat Woking on Tuesday night was the surprise inclusion of keeper, Reice Charles-Cook. 

Roared on by an enthusiastic and noisy away support of 437, many taking advantage of the club’s generous offer of free coach travel to the game, the Ravens competed well for much of the first half. The back three were solid with Sowunmi in particular, making some key interventions. 

Both teams probed each another for the opening half an hour and the first incident of note was a clash of heads between Bromley’s Bingham and Odoffin of Rotherham. Both players were withdrawn shortly after the incident.  

Bromley had an excellent chance to take the lead in the 34^th minute as Alabi slipped Alexander in down the left and the keeper parried his low side-footed shot. Alabi did well to reach the rebound but watched in disbelief as his shot limped wide of the goal. 

With Rathbone pulling the strings in midfield and Ogbene proving a nuisance for Rotherham down the right, Rotherham’s slick passing finally paid off with a moment of genuine quality in the 42^nd minute. Ogbene pulled the ball back to Wiles on the edge of the area who lashed his shot into the top left corner passed a stunned Charles-Cook. 

Worse was to follow a few minutes later for Bromley as an in-swinging Rotherham corner seemed to graze the bar and go out. The referee awarded another corner to Rotherham much to the disgust of the traveling support. The subsequent corner was nodded down by Wood to Ladapo who showed great agility as he swivelled and volleyed the ball over the line from a yard out.  

Realising that Bromley now had a mountain to climb, Woodman took drastic action at half-time by throwing on as many as four substitutes including Mnoga and a change in goal with Cousins replacing the injured Charles-Cook.  

Bromley started the second half on the front foot and had a good chance cleared off the line in the 48^th minute, however, all realistic hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished a minute later when Bromley’s Mnoga scythed down Ogbene to receive a deserved straight red card.   

From that point onwards, Bromley only managed to launch the occasional counter attack, and they failed to really test the Rotherham keeper.  

Meanwhile, Cousins in the Bromley goal, was busy as Rotherham countered at pace and he was forced to make several excellent saves. He could do little to stop a Will Grigg tap in and a Rotherham third in the 79^th minute after a fine parry. Rotherham continued to threaten but were unable to add more to their tally.  

Bromley did make a further two substitutions, to total an incredible seven changes. Five changes are permitted in FA Cup games with additional substitutes allowed in the case of head injuries. 

Despite the defeat, the traveling support left with their heads held high following a strong showing from the Ravens against a very good Rotherham side. Much credit must go to Andy Woodman and his team who have taken the club to within one game of the summit of the pyramid structure.  

With bigger clubs apparently showing interest in the manager the fans chanted for Woodman to stay at the final whistle and his thumbs up gesture appeared to indicate his determination to see the job through. Bromley may be out of the FA Cup for this year, but one senses that there is plenty of history still to be written this season!  

Teams: 

Rotherham United: Johansson, Ihiekwe (Edmonds-Green 45), Wood, Harding, Barlaser, Ogbene (Sadlier 53), Rathbone, Odoffin (Wiles 17), Ferguson (Bola 60), Grigg, Ladapo (Kayode 60). 

Subs unused: Smith, Vickers. 

Bromley: Charles-Cook (Cousins 45), Sowunmi, Webster, Bush, Coulson (Sablier 77), Bingham (Cawley 19), Trotter (Arthurs 45), Forster (Mnoga 45), Cheek (Lovatt 81), Alexander (Dennis 45), Alabi.  

Subs unused: Partington, Skeffington. 

Attendance: 4,064 (away fans 437)