Bromley 2
(Sablier 17′, Sowunmi 36′)
United 0
United went down to defeat on Saturday, as Bromley ran out 2-0 winners at Hayes Lane.
Marcus Sablier gave the home side an early lead, and that was doubled by Omar Sowunmi shortly before the break. Despite an improved performance following the change of ends, Torquay’s efforts were unable to change the course of proceedings.
The Gaffer made one change to the side which went down 2-0 to Boreham Wood in midweek, with Chiori Johnson returning to the starting line-up in a straight switch with Keelan O’Connell, who stepped down to the bench.
The game got off to a scrappy start, with the only real half-chance falling the way of the hosts, however Sowunmi’s 18-yard strike following a half-cleared corner failed to trouble United goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald, as the ball sailed over the crossbar by some margin.
Bromley took the lead in the 17th minute, as a run and cross down the right from George Alexander left Sablier with space by the penalty spot to acrobatically hook the ball over his head, and into the back of the net.
An effort by Connor Lemonheigh-Evans provided the travelling Yellow Army with some promise five minutes later, although his strike from outside the box was too close to trouble Mark Cousins in-between the sticks for Bromley.
Tom Lapslie came much closer just past the half-hour though, as a neat lay-off from Armani Little in the centre of midfield fed United’s No.4, who unleashed a powerful low drive which zipped wide of Cousin’s right hand, but unfortunately, also the post.
The contest remained a tight affair, however on 36 minutes, Bromley went further ahead.
A deep free-kick towards the back-post was headed back by Ravens captain Byron Webster into the path of teammate Sowunmi, who directed his rising drive into the top right-hand corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area, to make it 2-0.
Johnson’s men nearly responded just before the break, however after Dan Holman fed Lemonheigh-Evans into space down the left wing, the Welshman’s cross to the far post had a little too much on it, with Lapslie just unable to get on the end of it.
The 2-0 deficit remained intact until the interval, with The Gulls once again tasked with producing a fightback in the second period.
Torquay immediately set about reducing those arrears following the restart, with the side enjoying plenty of possession in the early stages.
Some resolute defending from Bromley prevented much in the way of goalmouth opportunities though, with only a Chiori Johnson mis-hit volley from a corner to report.
There were fervent appeals for a United penalty in the 63rd minute though, however despite Ben Wynter appearing to be upended illegally by a Bromley defender, the referee was unconvinced, and waved away the passionate protests.
With the game heading past the three-quarter mark, Michael Cheek threatened to increase the damage, cutting inside of Gulls replacement O’Connell, before forcing MacDonald to make a good save at his near post.
Fellow sub Klaidi Lolos responded by heading a left-wing Little cross over the ‘bar three minutes later, as Torquay’s attacks began to carry a more urgent nature.
With Johnson’s side forced to commit more numbers forward in a bid to save the game, some gaps began to appear at the back, with Cheek feeding Corey Whitely into space on the left of the box, with MacDonald again forced into action, this time producing a decent save at his near post.
United kept going – as they always do – with last week’s goal hero Joe Lewis going close twice in quick succession, firstly with a right-footed shot from ten yards that was deflected wide, before a dipping header from a corner clipped the woodwork before falling kindly to Cousins, who gratefully gathered the loose ball.
At the other end, MacDonald had to produce two more fine stops to prevent Cheek and Louis Dennis making it three in the dying stages, however the final whistle blew soon after, confirming a disappointing defeat on the road for United.
With this game marking a quarter of the season being completed, next weekend will see Johnson’s men take a break from their National League action, as The Gulls take on Havant & Waterlooville in the Emirates FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying at Plainmoor. Ticket details are available here.
Bromley: 1. Mark Cousins, 4. Billy Bingham, 5. Chris Bush, 6. Omar Sowunmi, 7. Michael Cheek, 9. Luke Coulson, 16. Liam Trotter (15. Sam Skeffington, 79′), 17. Byron Webster (c), 18. Corey Whitely, 22. George Alexander (10. James Alabi, 58′), 24. Marcus Sablier (11. Louis Dennis, 63′).
SUBS NOT USED: 19. Harry Forster, 21. Jake Lawlor.
TUFC: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 3. Dan Martin (16. Keelan O’Connell, 66′), 4. Tom Lapslie, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall (c), 10. Armani Little, 14. Chiori Johnson (5. Ali Omar, 84′), 21. Dean Moxey, 30. Dan Holman (19. Klaidi Lolos 56′), 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mark Halstead (GK), 11. Jake Andrews.
Yellow Card: Lemonheigh-Evans, 60′, Wynter, 65′
Attendance: 2,523 (333 away fans)