AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Bromley

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Mar 02, 2025

A stat that is probably overlooked is the fact that Bromley have the fourth-best away record in League Two.

The way they go about their business away from home could be summed up by the catchphrase of former ECW wrestler Tazz: “Beat me if you can, survive if I let you.”

You know what you’re going to get when Bromley turn up at your gaff, and only four teams have found a way to handle the smashmouth style. AFC Wimbledon were the latest to get Bromleyed, as the Ravens returned from Plough Lane with all three points.

Join me as I reflect on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from Bromley’s 1-0 away win at AFC Wimbledon.

Have a read and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

The team vs AFC Wimbledon

The Good

Let’s start with the fans. 1,200 Bromley supporters travelled across London to Wimbledon to cheer on the lads.

Yes, it's relatively local, but let's not pretend this isn’t very impressive. The exponential growth of this football club often makes me rub my eyes and take stock.

Bromley have taken over 1k away before, but only for special occasions, not run-of-the-mill league games.

London derby or not, this was impressive, and it offers yet more evidence that the club is growing at such a pace that it is probably hard for Robin Stanton Gleaves & Co. to know how to keep up.

At full-time, Andy Woodman spoke about “12 more cup finals” as he sets his eyes firmly on a play-off finish. He wants this culture to permeate every facet of the football club for the remainder of the season. Forward momentum is infectious and long may it continue. Soak up these good times while you can.

Bar the final 10 minutes where AFC Wimbledon threw everything at Bromley, I think it would be fair to say the Ravens shaded the game and deserved the win.

Wimbledon are by no means a bad team but I don’t think they did enough to deserve the victory. A share of the spoils, possibly, but Bromley were the better side in the first half and arguably should have gone in at least a goal to the good at half-time.

The game, for the most part, met expectations in that it was a tight and cagey affair with the two defences dominating.

However, Bromley sprang a surprise by being the side with the most attacking threat in the first half. Wimbledon have the best defensive record in the league, but they looked stretched when trying to deal with Bromley’s attacks at times.

Cheek should have scored in the opening minute, and he was denied by a brilliant block by Ryuan Johnson midway through the half. Ben Thompson also saw his effort brilliantly saved by Owen Goodman just before half-time.

My fear at half-time was that Bromley would rue those misses and get done by one goal in the second half. While that didn’t come to pass, it was no surprise that when the only goal came it was courtesy of a mistake. I don’t think it would have come any other way for either side in the second half.

I know I said I would stop finding superlatives for Michael Cheek, but his assist for Corey Whitely’s winner took him to 16 goals and 5 assists and took Bromley to 44 league goals for the season.

Let me put this in perspective for people. Having fired Bromley into League Two, Mr Cheek has the most goals and the most assists for Bromley this season, and is currently joint top-scorer in the league. With that in mind, how on earth did Matty Stevens win the London Football Awards' EFL Player of the Year trophy? I can only assume there are people with Wimbledon sensibilities on the decision-making committee.

Surely the fact that Bromley are playing in the EFL for the first time ever should have made a difference?

At the back, once again Bromley were brilliant. I singled out Deji Elerewe in my post-match interview with Andy Woodman, but I thought everyone in the team was brilliant defensively. Numerous blocks and the correct reading of the game ensured that Wimbledon didn’t create a meaningful effort at goal until the 57^th minute. And when the Wombles threw the kitchen sink at Bromley in the final 10, the Ravens stood firm and defended as a team.

I’ve spoken a lot about the defensive record of Bradford and Wimbledon this week, but Bromley have only conceded one goal in their last five games. You have to respect and salute it.

Integral to that has been the form and leadership of Byron Webster. Remember when some fans were trying to write him off two seasons ago, never mind last season, or this season?

Experience, nous, and simple effective defending puts him in the side on merit, and his leadership skills need no explanation. Byron turns 38 later this month, and who would bet against him playing on next season? He isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.

Wimbledon are a good side with a specific way of playing, and it was clear to see why they have conceded so few goals this season. But Bromley weren’t there to be mugged off, and when the penny dropped for the Wombles, it felt like they were too wedded to Plan A.

At times, they moved the ball way too slowly, which is bread and butter for Bromley as it allows them to get into a defensive shape that suits them.

It was only in the last 10 minutes of frantic football that the Dons really moved the ball with any urgency.

That said, in James Tilley they had a player who was worth the entrance fee. He always looked to make things happen and gave Bromley a real examination down the left-hand side.

The Bad

I thought Bromley were a bit wasteful in this game. For clarity, ‘wasteful’, in this context, means not being ruthless when chances are at a premium and one goal is likely to decide the game.

Cheek, Thompson, and Ilunga will perhaps reflect on their opportunities and wonder if they should have put them away.

In the end, it didn’t matter as Wimbledon gift-wrapped an opportunity for Bromley which Corey Whitely duly accepted. But I suspect when we look at the fine margins that have defined this season, ruthlessness will be one of the areas where marginal gains can be made in seasons to come.

Ultimately, in Michael Cheek, Bromley have a striker who bags more often than not, which can mask a bit of profligacy. But while it might seem nitpicky, Bromley need to be more clinical as a team.

I’ve only the following point in The Bad section because I didn’t think it fit anywhere else. Cameron Congreve is so gifted. There were a few times in this game where he glided past defenders like they weren’t even there. One for the old-school fans here but some of his play reminds me of the wicked wing wizard Kirk Watts.

That said, given how many great positions he works himself into off the back of his technical skill, I do wish Cameron was more decisive in some of his play in the final third.

There were a few times where he should have shot and there were other times when, having done the hard work, he should have laid it off to a teammate. But we have to remember, having just turned 21, he is a young man still learning his trade. This season-long loan has been invaluable for developing his craft and he will undoubtedly go back to Swansea a better player.

I said it after Newcastle and I say it again, Cam should try to achieve double figures in at least one of his stats. He currently has five goals and four assists for the season. With 12 league games to go, he can add a few more to that tally before all is said and done.

The Ugly

I didn’t interview Johnnie Jackson post-match as I didn’t need to for media duties, but I did watch/listen back to some of his comments on the non Wimbledon platforms. I thought he came across as unnecessarily narky.

I get it in some ways as in the heat of the moment, speaking to the press is the last thing you want to do. I get on with Andy, and while he isn’t always happy with my line of questioning, crucially, he always stays professional.

I thought some of Johnnie’s responses/antics were disappointing in that regard. Maybe I’m overreacting, but unless a member of the press is going out of their way to dig you out, you should show decorum befitting the manager of a professional football club.

Maybe I just don’t know Johnnie well enough to judge his responses in context, but I can only say what I see. You have to do better.

What’s your take? Get at me in the comments below.

Match ratings

Grant Smith (9)

Carl Jenkinson (8)

Deji Elerewe (9)

Byron Webster (9)

Adam Mayor (9)

Jude Arthurs (9)

Ben Thompson (9)

Cameron Congreve (7)

Corey Whitely (8)

Brooklyn Ilunga (7)

Michael Cheek (8)

Subs:

Kamarl Grant for Carl Jenkinson 83’ (n/a)

Marcus Ifill for Brooklyn Ilunga 65’ (7)

Nicke Kabamba for Michael Cheek 89’ (n/a)

From Bromley with love

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