Blue Square Bet South
Bromley 4 Boreham Wood 0
by John Mead
Wood found the opposition too strong after a promising start to the game. Missing star defender Luke Wilkinson, midfield duo Mario Noto and Luke Garrard, along with striker Simeon Akinola through injury, coupled with the non-availability of Sam Hurrell and James Smith, Wood had a look of a struggling side.
Early exchanges were encouraging with a defensive mix-up allowing Darren Currie to round ‘keeper Dean Santangelo before cutting an intelligent ball back into the
path of Ali Chaaban, who was slow to react and pick pocketed by Tutu Henriques.
Wood then attacked with pace, with Daryl McMahon and Chaaban combining. Lillywhite’s defender Ryan Adams read the script, cutting out Chaaban’s return ball at a crucial moment. Bromley star man Orlando Smith then tested Elvijs Putnins with a powerful low drive, which the QPR Loan ‘keeper smothered at the second attempt. Bromley opened the scoring after twenty-two minutes when a long upfield clearance from ‘keeper Dean Santangelo was not dealt with by Charlie O’Loughlin allowing Danny Hockton to head down into the path of Hakeem Araba. His run was not picked up and he finished beyond Putnins into the bottom left hand corner.
Three minutes later only a brilliant near post save from Putnins. denied Hockton from adding a second when Danny Waldren’s free kick was knocked on by Liam Harwood. Bromley were buoyed by the goal with Wood defending for long periods. Ryan Dolby fired over the bar before a brilliant threaded ball from McMahon found David Bryant who was denied by Santangelo.
With the presence of Garrard and Noto sorely missed in the middle of the park the
Wood defence were under the cosh. Putnins came and missed a cross although
fortunately for Ian Allinson’s side the impressive Hockton headed over the bar. There came no change in the pattern of play after the interval with the home side easing into a position of total dominance.
Ruddock Yala failed to deal with the threat of Dolby down the left, the wide man picked out Waldren who set up Hockton, his low shot finding the back of the net via a flailing arm of the diving Putnins after fifty-three minutes.
Putnins kept out a Dolby effort saving with his legs before Ollie Palmer was replaced by Inih Effiong and Pelly Ruddock entered the field for Darren Currie. A brilliant block by Daniel Brathwaite thwarted a certain third from a rocket drive from Smith as The Lilywhites looked to go on the rampage. Putnins produced the save of the game somehow managing to keep out a close range scissor kick from Araba, before Allinson reverted to a back three, which served only to make the Kent side’s task easier, given the total lack of penetration showed by Chaaban and the total lack of service from the midfield with wayward balls and a lack of cohesion.
Smith produced the moment of the match with a run at pace down the middle followed by an unstoppable low drive that cemented his Man of the Match status. With twelve minutes remaining Wood conceded a fourth, when the defence lost the plot completely. Two Substitutes combined with Harry Harding’s cross from the right finding a totally unmarked Gareth Williams who had time eternal to pick his spot.
Putnins denied ex-Wood striker Leon McKenzie from adding a fifth as the final whistle could not come quickly enough.
Before the game Wood boss Ian Allinson bemoaned his weakened Squad commenting, “This is the most important part of the Season with the scheduling meaning the games come thick and fast. You would not normally expect to miss all your key players at this stage.”
Wood travel to Woking on Saturday knowing nothing less than a 100% improvement and a rapid return to fitness of their star players will be required against one of the title favourite’s, who have a 100% record after two games.
Team: Putnins, Sankofa, Brathwaite, Yala (Sub – Lawal 64 mins.), O’Loughlin, Hunter, Bryant, Chaaban, Palmer (Sub – Effiong 62 mins.), McMahon, Currie (Sub – Ruddock 62 mins.).
Subs (Not used): Jordan, Walker.
Bookings: Bryant.
Goals: Bromley: Araba 22, Hockton 53, Smith 66, Williams 78.
Wood Man of The Match: Elvijs Putnins.
