A humid evening at Hayes Lane marked the beginning of Bromley’s home season, as the Ravens faced rivals AFC Wimbledon in our debut League Cup fixture.
Bromley made seven changes from the convincing opening day victory against Harrogate Town, with Sam Long, Omar Sowunmi and Lewis Leigh making their competitive returns for the club, as well as a debut for Marcus Dinanga and a start for youngster Nathan Paul-Lavaly.
The visitors also made a number of changes from their opening day victory over Colchester United, with six players coming into the side, and former Bromley forward Omar Bugiel dropping to the bench.
The visitors had the first chance of the game inside the 3rd minute, as a dangerous cross from the right-hand side reached Joe Pigott, who forced a smart stop from Sam Long. AFC Wimbledon threatened again a minute later, as Josh Kelly forced the ball around the Bromley goalkeeper, but Omar Sowunmi prevented an opener with a last-ditch challenge, on his return.
Despite the visitors sustaining their early pressure for the rest of the opening 15 minutes, it was Bromley who hit the back of the net first! In the 19th minute, Cameron Congreve found space in the centre of the pitch and picked out Bes Topalloj on the left-hand side, and the left back’s curling ball was met by the boot of Levi Amantchi. The forward poked the ball into the side-netting to hand the Ravens their first ever Carabao Cup goal.
With the visitors hit by the early set-back in the form of a Bromley opener, they responded fast. Josh Kelly plucked a looping ball out of the sky, pushed it past Kamarl Grant, before slotting past Sam Long into the bottom left corner of the net in the 23rd minute.
Bromley ended the first half brightly, with Congreve dictating play down the right-side, where he found Jude Arthurs stationed in a central position in the 36th minute, and the latter’s effort looked goal bound until blocked by a visiting defender. The Ravens continued their confidence late in the half with Lewis Leigh curling in a wicked free kick from some distance, as ‘keeper Owen Goodman looked relieved to see the effort flash past his far post, as the two sides went into half-time all square.
As the two sides began the second half with the scoreline one a piece, Bromley started the brighter. Congreve was the talisman yet again, as he danced past three AFC Wimbledon defenders before releasing an effort on goal that whistled inches past the post in the 47th minute. The Ravens continued their pressure over the next ten minutes, as Nathan Paul-Lavaly’s dangerous cross forced a corner, and Lewis Leigh’s left-footed drive from distance made Owen Goodman work.
Despite the opening to the half being largely dominated by Bromley, it was the visitors who landed the next punch in the match, taking the lead in this tie for the first time. A floated cross to the back post looped over Long, and was met by the head of Josh Kelly, who found Joe Pigott at the back post who was ready to tap the ball into an empty net on the hour mark.
After taking the lead, the visitors seemingly settled down their game, dominating possession for the next spell of the game. In the 69th minute Wimbledon’s second scorer, Joe Pigott, found space inside the box and drilled an effort which was well saved by Long, keeping the difference to one.
Despite AFC Wimbledon looking comfortable after taking the lead, it was Bromley who the next big chance in this one. Congreve floated in a corner won by Jude Arthurs, into the back-post area, which was met by an on-rushing Omar Sowunmi, but the defender’s header bounced over the crossbar.
With time ticking, Bromley continued to apply pressure, as substitute Idris Odutayo won a loose ball in the 79th minute, picking out the lively Marcus Dinanga, who saw his drilled effort creep just past the ‘keepers near post. A few minutes later, Arthurs curled a marvellous cross into the Dons box, meeting the flying head of Kamarl Grant, but the defender’s header was unbelievably saved by Owen Goodman.
Even with the late flurry of opportunities for Bromley, AFC Wimbledon saw out the final moments smartly, with the visitors progressing into round two of this years Carabao Cup, and Bromley bowed out of the competition in the first round.