Bromley arrived at the Camrose undefeated in ten Blue Square Bet South outings but by the time Delano Sam-Yorke had stepped off the bench the visitors were desperately looking for the final whistle to hold onto some respectability.
Town were clinical and rampant in the final quarter of the game and could have added a couple more to their tally. What a difference a month makes as this was the team that could not only not score but could not create chances. Both are now coming in abundance. Town are now seven unbeaten, five straight wins and 19 goals along the way. This gives manager Frank Gray and his team a great feeling going into Saturday’s important final qualifying round of the E.on sponsored FA cup against AFC Wimbledon.
Gray now has strength in depth with Sam-Yorke on the bench along with new loan signing Callum Reynolds returning to the Camrose, having been with the dragons at the end of the 2008/09 season. Town could have taken the lead in the first five minutes, the Matt’s Warner and Pattison both going close; however on six minutes New Zealander Greg Draper opened his League account to add to his seven cup goals. Jidi Ogunbote won the ball in the centre of the park before setting David Pratt away down the right for him to square to Draper who duly converted.
The visitors, clearly stunned, picked themselves up and responded, debutant Town ‘keeper Simon Moore was called into action to save from Wes Daly but Town survived a scare when Bromley almost equalised from a Tony Finn corner, Jerrome Sobers rose to head the ball into the ground before watching it bounce off Nathan Smart on the line and hit the woodwork. Tutu Henriques then latched onto the loose ball, after Basingstoke failed to clear their lines, but skied his effort well over the bar. Bromley were a well organized side and continued to enjoy good possession in the middle of the park but failed to penetrate the Dragons defence and both sides looked to move the ball around and produce a decent half of football.
Warren McBean and Nic McDonnell combined well, the latter heading the ball back into the danger area from the far post and a foul on the ever dependable Jay Gasson relieved the pressure for Town. After a period of pressure from the visitors the home side responded and fine work by Warner and Draper saw the ball go agonisingly inches over Pratt when well placed. Pratt and Draper are looking a comfortable partnership with Pratt setting up Draper but his touch was a little heavy allowing Bromley to clear the danger. Town continued to look for a second as Pattison drove a shot goalbound which hit Draper in the back and a great cross by Matt Finlay just evaded Pratt and Draper in the box. Town stood firm with a very impressive half and went into the break worthy of their lead.
Half-time: Basingstoke Town 1 Bromley 0
Tutu Henriques gave Bromley a perfect start to the second half. The midfielder's left foot volley, from Tony Finn's corner, nestled in the bottom corner as he was left unmarked at the far side of goal. Bromley were back in business but only for 60 seconds as at the other end Pattison was strong and shrugged off Sam Butler and broke down the line drilling in a fine pass that the visiting defence failed to deal with, leaving Warner to fire home a left foot shot past Wes Fotheringham in the Bromley goal. In a very open game McBean fired over the bar at the other end. It was difficult to pick a man of the match in such a fine team performance but Matt Warner caused the visitors problems all afternoon and crossed in superbly from the left with Pratt pouncing at the near post and the Bromley defender just getting the ball out for a corner ahead of the Town striker. The visitors looked every bit why they were league leaders as they continued to pass the ball around as they looked to get back into the game. Town struggled to clear a Bromley attack and Moore came to the rescue claiming confidently. Warner blasted goalward and a cross ball pass out to the right found Pattison who could have shot but took the ball wide eventually finding Pratt and the visitors again had to scramble the ball clear for a corner. Pratt was ruled offside when he appeared to be in an onside position and would have been clear in on goal.
Bromley responded well with McBean firing a 25 yard shot which Moore tipped over the bar, a goal kick being given denying the home ‘keeper a fine save. With 27 minutes left Draper made way for Sam-Yorke and the on loan striker punished Bromley twice in the final 13 minutes. His first came when Fotheringham’s poor clearance found him 30 yards out and he coolly chipped back over the ‘keeper for 3-1. The final blow came for the visitors when they lost possession from a throw in and Warner who was instrumental in most things during the game flung in a low cross and Sam-Yorke was able to guide it into the bottom of the far corner of the Bromley net. The hosts did not sit back and with their guests now reeling went in search of a fifth and a couple of late half-chances could have produced another.
This performance will certainly put the Dragons in good stead for the visit of the Wombles to the Camrose this weekend with the prize at stake of a place in the first round proper of the FA cup and a small matter of £12,500.00 prize money on offer.
Town: Moore, Smart, Finlay, Adams, Gasson, Lake (sub Laidler 85), Pattison (sub Rice 80), Ogunbote, Pratt, Draper sub (Sam-Yorke 63), Warner. Subs (Not Used): Reynolds, Frewen.
