After a challenging match against Crewe Alexandra, Bromley Football Club faced serious setbacks as they ended their unbeaten run. The Ravens suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the League Two promotion hopefuls on Sunday, leaving head coach Andy Woodman with harsh reflections about the performance of his players.
During the match, Bromley went down 3-1 after just 38 minutes. Michael Cheek managed to net his 13th league goal of the season from the penalty spot, bringing some hope to the side. Nonetheless, Jamie Knight-Lebel put the game out of reach for Bromley by scoring Crewe’s final goal of the day just before the whistle sounded for the 82nd minute. This loss marked the end of Bromley’s impressive 12-match unbeaten streak.
"We weren't at the races, were we, let’s be honest," Woodman candidly stated following the game via Bromley’s YouTube channel. "We looked all at sea. I’m trying to put my finger on it and I should probably sympathise with Gillingham [who we beat last time out] because they had a day less rest against us.”
Woodman expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s demeanor, emphasizing, "You look at this today and think: ‘We have had a day less of rest and we haven’t got going anywhere’.” His disappointment was palpable as he remarked, "I can’t take anything away from Crewe – their front two caused us problems all day long. I don’t think there was a player on the pitch today who could come away with any credit at all.”
Describing the performance as utterly uncharacteristic of the Ravens, Woodman noted, "We were miles off it – all over the place. We left spaces and players. We were so off it today. It’s so not like us – I don’t think I’ve ever stood here in front of this camera and said [that] since I’ve been here.” He expressed deep frustration with his team's tactics on the pitch: "They exposed us all over the place. I can accept getting beat, but I can’t accept it when I don’t see us like us. We were humbled today.”
Currently positioned 12th in the table, Bromley now finds itself six points out of the playoff spots. Compounding their challenges, they will soon face Premier League giants Newcastle United, where they will compete for the third round of the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, in addition to the disappointing match results, Bromley announced the temporary departure of two players. Full-back Nathan Paul-Lavaly and forward Soul Kader have both been loaned to Isthmian League Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic for one month.
Paul-Lavaly, just 18 years old, recently played the full 90 minutes during Bromley’s first-ever home EFL game against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup and made additional appearances against Chelsea U21s and Charlton Athletic. This loan marks his inaugural experience away from the club, as he has also regularly featured for Bromley B throughout the season.
Kader, who has recently returned from injury after battling long-term issues, is also set to join Carshalton Athletic. Previously, he had spent some time at AFC Croydon. Kader made his mark at the club by scoring his first senior goal during the promotion-winning season against Wealdstone.
The announcement of these loans suggests Bromley’s commitment to player development, providing both Paul-Lavaly and Kader the opportunity to gain valuable match experience. Carshalton Athletic is scheduled to host Hastings United on Saturday, allowing the two youngsters to kickstart their loan stints.
Despite the bitter taste of defeat, the team and its supporters will look forward to the next opportunities, including the upcoming match against Newcastle, hoping to rebound from the setback with renewed vigor and resiliency.