Bromley F.C (a) - League 2 - 26th October 2024
London Calling on a dark and wet October morn, Bromley the destination for Clemence’s inconsistent Bluebirds.
Avanti did us proud, a fantastic voyage depositing us in the capital on time, just after 10. Some went in search of bright lights and fine pints, whereas I was on Dad duty and headed for The Streets of London – your Oxford’s, your Bond’s, your Regent’s, your Carnaby’s. We even nipped into The Soccer Archive in Soho, where they were punting out last season’s yellow away kit as a ‘classic’ shirt. London Loves Ben Whitfield scoring two at Crewe vibes, obviously. Curiously that was the only garment from The Soccer in The Soccer Archive. Trading standards will have the matter in hand, no doubt. Credit card thankfully unbattered after a few hours of retail tourism amongst the West End
Girls and we headed to Victoria for the connection to Bromley, a mere 16 minutes away.
With the cancellation of the Trust coach, I feared a sparse away section but the diaspora did us proud and we ended up with a decent 208 there. Bromley had closed the terrace and shoved us all into their gazebo seating, much to the annoyance of those of us who need a bit of legroom or prefer to stand.
South London Forever confuses me when I’m trying to work out who the ‘big club’ is for the majority of the home support. I used to think Bromley were Palace but I reckon it’s probably Millwall, seeing as they’ve nicked the Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllllllll chant from The Den. That’s where the comparisons end, mind. The home support seemed mainly made up of semi interested adults and a few yoof with a drum and a songbook copy and pasted from TerraceUK tiktok or somesuch. Ho and indeed hum.
The game got underway and after weathering the initial pressure we looked comfortable for most of the first half. The restoration of Canavan gave us a touch more assuredness and in the middle All The Young Dudes were combining well, full of energy and craft. Speaking of which, a nice little move released the Flying Kouyate, scampering down the wing like a Rabbit, who beat his man and then found Garner in the middle for a neat finish on the turn. Wallop.
At half time the home gaffer obviously realised they were Up the Junction and the second half began with several Changes from The London Boys, bringing on the hefty Michael Cheek and going more direct. Once again though we weathered the storm and continued to create chances at the other end. Spence really should have put us 2 up, denied by an excellent save from their keeper. Stanway pulled off two excellent saves himself and I allowed myself to dream of the Win…alas, no, Stop Dreaming Dave, there was Something In The Air – a looping ball and an errant hand which the referee did brilliantly to spot through a thicket of bodies. More cynical minds would say he reacted to the crowd and guessed but I’m not a cynic. Honest.
A note for Clemence’s reaction to being sent off and striding across the pitch instead of meekly retreating behind the dug out – loved it. G’won Stephen, give ‘em beans lad.
So, 1-1 and spirits slightly dampened as it definitely felt like two points dropped although not a Miserable Saturday Night. How do we regain that cutting edge in front of goal so that one brings two then three and four? New tactics? New personnel? Not sure. But that debate is For Tomorrow on the training grounds of North Manchester. Over to you Clem and Co.
A swift walk back to Bromley South for the ‘early’ train to Victoria and we were Down in the Tube Station at 6 (sorry!), then on, Station to Station, to Euston for Beer Belly supplies, weaving around hordes of swaying Wrexham fans on their way home from Charlton and then back on our train to the glorious North. So Long London.
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