RAVE UP! BROMLEY WIN POOLS
HOME WITH A POINT!
IT’S 383 miles from Barrow to Dover but there was little between the two teams on the field as the play-off hopefuls played out a hard-fought draw at Crabble.
Jordan White thundered in Dan Jones’ left wing cross on 51 minutes to put the visitors ahead but Ryan Bird flicked home Femi Ilesanmi’s ball to ensure the match ended honours even.
Bluebirds boss Paul Cox was only able to name four substitutes but felt his patched up side should have taken all three points rather than one back home to Cumbria.
“The boys are disappointed as we had late chances to win the match. But we would have taken a point before setting off to what we know is a tough place to come,” he revealed.
And his charges did indeed miss some gilt-edged opportunities as the scoreboards neared 90.
A counter attack seven minutes from time saw Sam Cockerline shoot at Mitch Walker rather than pass to teammate Alex-Ray Harvey in a better posidefence, tion. The substitute seemed to have learned his lesson in injury time with a pass, however, Bedsente Gomis ballooned over from close range, no doubt prompting six hours of banter from his travelling companions on the long journey home.
The visitors started well with Harry Panayiotou dragged an effort wide and Dave Nieskens volleyed an attempt out for a throw in when well placed.
Neither team were giving an inch and that’s what Bird needed in order to connect with Ilesanmi’s fizzing cross into the box.
At the other end, Panayiotou’s wicked ball into the area appeared to strike the bar with the same player stabbing the ball at Walker moments later following a Jones lob into the box.
Thierry Audel almost put the Cumbrians ahead in glorious fashion before the break, picking the ball up on the halfway line and waltzing through the home only to be denied by a sprawling Mitch Walker at the near post.
Jamie Allen found a poised Ilesanmi in the area following the restart but the Nigerian defender’s touch eluded him as the ball rolled out for a goal kick.
White opened the scoring and star man Moussa Diarra preserved Barrow’s lead with a last-ditch tackle to deny Bird a certain goal. The big striker, however, was not to be denied again.
Dover boss Chris Kinnear shared his opposite number’s frustration, adding: “It is disappointing as we tried to take the game to them, but it was good the lads were able to get back into the match against a resilient team.
“You can’t knock the players but they can get better and I am sure they will as the season progresses.”