Notts County 1-1 Bromley
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
A turgid defeat against Colchester, a glorious defeat against Newcastle, and a spanking from Crewe. After three losses on the spin, Bromley faced a stiff old test against Notts County’s quality lineup, including David McGoldrick, Alassana Jatta, and the returning Jodi Jones.
Given the perceived gulf in quality, when Bromley went a goal down, a comeback seemed like a tall order. But Andy Woodman’s bench had the answer and his team found a way to stop the run of defeats.
Join Andy Hammond as he explores The Good, the Bad and the Ugly from Bromley’s 1-1 draw away at Notts County.
Have a read and share your views in the comments section below.
The team vs Notts County
The Good
Mash has mentioned Bromley’s lack of game-changing options off the bench on numerous occasions.
With only two new faces arriving at Hayes Lane in the transfer window thus far, Notts County must have sensed they had nothing to fear once they’d gone a goal up. After all, what did Bromley’s new signings, an ageing National League striker and an MK Dons cast-off, have to offer from the bench?
How wrong they were.
In this fixture, every Bromley change made a difference. Brooklyn Ilunga’s arrival brought a genuine threat down the left and came just as Notts County took off star man Jodi Jones, which greatly lessened their threat down that side. Lewis Leigh’s introduction brought fresh legs and his characteristic fight to the midfield. Together, these introductions gave Bromley the fresh impetus they needed to get back in the game.
On 74 minutes, another roll of the dice saw the introduction of Louis Dennis and Nicke Kabamba. Louis was showing flashes of the ‘best player at the club’ badge that Andy Woodman awarded him in a post-match interview earlier this season. He combined well with Brooklyn Ilunga on the left, feeding off the winger’s pace and positivity.
Suddenly, County began collapsing down that flank, and it was no surprise that Cameron Congreve picked up the ball following neat play down the left side to score his equaliser.
Finally, Kamarl Grant entered the fray to replace Danny Imray for the last 5 minutes. This meant County had another physical challenge to cope with. The centre-back added a couple of decent attacking bursts, too.
With these well-judged changes, from where I stood, Bromley seemed the most likely to nick it in the final few minutes. County just looked out of ideas.
How do we suddenly have a game-changing bench without a raft of new signings?
I suspect the answer might have something to do with our most precious asset, Andy Woodman, patiently figuring out creative ways to use the talent at his disposal.
If every other club in the 92 keeps falling for the manager’s ‘affable geezer’ schtick, perhaps he could keep working his magic at Hayes Lane for the ‘10 more years’ we’re singing for.
The Bad
In his preview of the Notts County game, Mash mentioned the difficulty of Bromley’s upcoming fixtures. Is this bad news for this phase of the season?
I’ve had the pleasure of watching Bromley beat Doncaster (then 2nd), draw with table-topping Walsall, draw with Port Vale (then 2nd), and draw away at Notts County (then 6th). I missed the home win against AFC Wimbledon (now 5th), but I think you get the picture.
Some of my less optimistic mates on the west terrace are of the opinion that Bromley play to the level of their opponents. This phrase was uttered repeatedly during the disappointing loss to Colchester last weekend.
Bromley will face five top-ten opponents in their next eight fixtures, so playing to the level of our opponents throughout February would not be a bad thing.
While Bromley’s stats show a deficit of possession this season, they would likely top the chart for the level of determination shown each week. Finding that grit, drive, determination and passion every week must be tough, but if it's easier to find against the league’s top teams, then I’m more worried about facing the likes of Fleetwood and Harrogate than Chesterfield and Salford.
The Ugly
Cameron Congreve used to be such a good-looking chap with a straight nose and boyish good looks.
From 50 yards away, the challenge that broke his nose looked accidental and fairly innocuous. The lengthy treatment that followed left fans bewildered as to what had happened to him. It was only once he was required to put on a fresh shirt and shorts that it became clear that plenty of blood had flowed.
In Andy’s post-match interview, he uttered the immortal words: “I’m glad he broke his nose.” It’s not quite meant in the way it sounds, but his point about finding out something new about this undoubtedly skilful loanee was sound.
Cameron is the type of player who, 50 years ago, when football was a real man’s game, would have been hacked and battered by every opposing team’s favourite ‘hard man’. Now, with a little more protection, skills from players like Cameron can light up a game.
He has given Bromley fans two moments of magic in recent weeks, first with his sublime strike at St James’ Park, then with his fleet-footed run and goal in the 79th minute of this game.
Skilful players might have a little more protection from referees these days, but they still need to be able to take a 21st-century whack. Against Notts County, Cameron not only proved he can take a whack, he also proved he can run himself into the ground, à la Corey Whitely, while also conjuring a touch of class when needed.
If Swansea deem him surplus to requirements, perhaps RSG could allocate a little of the remaining FA Cup dosh towards picking him up?
Keeping Cameron seems more realistic than keeping Danny Imray, who everyone wants for good but can surely only offer us the rest of this season (at best).
Never fall in love with a loanee.
Match Ratings:
Grant Smith (7)
Danny Imray (7)
Byron Webster (6)
Deji Elerewe (6)
Omar Sowunmi (7)
Idris Odutayo (7)
Ben Thompson (7)
Jude Arthurs (7)
Cameron Congreve (8)
Corey Whitely (6)
Michael Cheek (6)
Subs:
Lewis Leigh for Ben Thompson 67’ (7)
Brooklyn Ilunga for Corey Whitely 67’ (7)
Nicke Kabamba for Michael Cheek 74’ (6)
Louis Dennis for Idris Odutayo 74’ (8)
Kamarl Grant for Danny Imray (7)
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