Match 24. Ebbsfleet United v Bromley

Wednesday 1^st January 2014 @3pm

Skrill Conference South

EBBSFLEET UNITED 1-3 BROMLEY

Stonebridge Road, Northfleet

 

Admission: £10

Programme: £3

Attendance: 998

Refreshments: Guinness, £3.60.  Ham Ciabatta from home.

 

I had decided not to travel far with the weather already soaking most of the UK, so had a shortlist of Welling or Ebbsfleet. When I checked on Twitter that Welling was postponed and Stonebridge Road had passed the match referees inspection, I drove and parked up about 2.30.  I bumped into a friend who is a Bromley season ticket holder so had a good pre-match catch up.  The groundsman had made a tremendous effort to get the match on, as although there was some standing water as the match progressed, the ball didn’t hold up at all during the match.

 

Stonebridge Road is a gem of a ground, showing history of how a ground was fifty years ago.  A welcome change since my visit last year was the large covered terrace had a new roof, so no more leaky areas for around 700 under the roof at this game.  The clubhouse was busy before the match and I was a bit surprised by the cost of programme, but relieved to see a game.

Both Ebbsfleets main strikers were not fully fit and Steve Brown started with Ben May and put Thelassitis on the bench.  May only lasted 20 mins before being replaced. Both teams were struggling more with the high winds than the persistent rain but on the half hour, Bromley took the lead when a pass down the right wing was crossed over and Pierre J-D hammered it home from inside the box.  Fleet closed the half out in the ascendancy but failed to level despite several corners.

 

Fleet had more scoring chances in the second half but the absence of a fit goalscorer told as Bromley extended their lead just before the hour, when a deep cross from a free kick wasn’t cleared and  Jake Reid took a touch then placed it just inside the post. The weather now worsened as the winds picked up and driving rain making the game difficult for both teams. Bromley killed the match after 83 mins when son of boss Goldberg picked up a loose cross and drove it past keeper Edwards.  A late consolation from Ebbsfleet in the last minute of the 90 as a cross from the left was well received by Bricknell who fired into the net.