Bromley completed the main portion of their pre-season programme with a good work out and victory against National League South opponents Wealdstone FC.
Having experimented with different formations and personnel throughout pre-season, Ravens manager Neil Smith sent his charges out in a 442 handing a debut to Colchester United loan signing Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe.
The 24 year old had a very productive season at Maldon & Tiptree in the Isthmian Division One North last season which led to Colchester United procuring his signature in January. With Smith needing another striker to both add a goal threat and put pressure on Omar Bugiel and George Porter he made the move to add the pacy frontman on loan until January.
Despite the addition the first half was one dominated by both defensives as chances were at a premium for either side.
It took until the 22nd minute of the game for a genuine opportunity to be created. Towering centre back Marc Anthony-Okoye intercepted a dangerous Wealdstone attack and in doing so was able to set Bugiel away on an enterprising forward run. The Lebanese international was able to powerfully run from inside his own half into the opposing penalty area before drawing a fine save from Jonathan North in the Wealdstone goal.
Although Wealdstone looked easy on the eye going forward the best they could muster in the first half was a cross from Daniel Green that fell to David Pratt inside the penalty area but before the striker could shoot Bugiel produced a goal saving tackle to deny him.
Defences continued to dominate for the remainder of the half although debutant Ogedi-Uzokwe will probably feel he should have given Bromley the lead two minutes before half time. Another strong run from standout performer Bugiel led to a cross to an unmarked Ogedi-Uzokwe, however the striker failed to find the net despite two bites of the cherry.
Half time saw Bromley make two changes, Roger Johnson for Okoye and George Porter for Ogedi-Uzokwe and it paid dividends straight after the restart. A Frankie Raymond corner was headed home by Bromley captain Jack Holland to give the Ravens the lead.
Wealdstone nearly responded minutes after the goal with Bradley Hudson-Odoi the chief architect. Firstly his cross created an opportunity for Stevenage loanee Joe White but his goalbound effort was superbly blocked by Roger Johnson, before Hudson-Odoi himself forced a near post save from David Gregory.
As is traditional with pre-season friendlies the game became disjointed with a series of substitutions but it was Bromley who maintained the upper hand throughout the second half.
Yet another strong run by Bugiel let to a cutback from the by-line but no Bromley player was on hand to tap the ball into an open net.
Eventually though the Ravens did score a second goal courtesy of Porter as the front man volleyed home from a Jordan Higgs cross.
As the game petered out Wealdstone were able to pull a goal back five minutes from time. Former Welling winger Jeffrey Monakana’s excellent cross was tapped in by an unmarked Bradley Bubb.
Despite the late goal there was no further drama as Bromley saw out the remainder of the game.
The win whilst encouraging for Neil Smith’s Ravens poses more questions ahead of the season opener away to AFC Fylde next Saturday.
Are Bromley more effective in a 442 or 532?
Which players are still considered to be short of match fitness?
With Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe joining what is the preferred front two?
If Bromley play 2 centre backs which two miss out?
What is clear is that Neil Smith has constructed a versatile squad of players who in theory can play in several formations and positions. It is an enviable position to be in but one that leaves many guessing as to what the current best line up is.
Bromley have one final friendly on Tuesday night at Glebe where it is quite conceivable that Neil Smith will play some first team players particularly those who haven’t featured as regularly in pre-season.
Following that game the season proper will begin with a trip to big spending AFC Fylde who finished in 6th in their inaugural season in the National League.
Wealdstone FC: North, Tyler (Sheppard 76), Stevens (Mambo 66), Okimo © (Wilson 76), Grant, Green (Monakana 62), Poku (Lench 68), Ahmidi, Hudson-Odoi (Harris 62), White (Clark 76), Pratt (Bubb 62)
Subs not used: Thomas,
Bromley: Gregory, Adebyao-Rowling, Holland ©, Anthony-Okoye (R.Johnson 45), D.Johnson, Meekums (Mekki 63), Sutherland (Higgs 58), Raymond (Krasniqi 82), Taylor (Williams 86), Bugiel (Hitchcock 70), Ogedi-Uzokwe (Porter 45)
Subs not used: Goodman, Kalala
Goal scorers / Time of goal: Wealdstone: Bubb 85 Bromley: Holland 46, Porter 71
Attendance: 317
Referee: Mr S.Purkiss