BLUEBIRDS LACK SPARK AS FRANKIE FINISHES IT

NEIL SMITH was delighted with his Bromley side as they made it four games unbeaten with a battling win over Barrow.

Frankie Raymond’s free-kick 15 minutes from time won the game for the Ravens, but Smith was eager to praise his whole team and their recent form.

He told The NLP: “I thought given it was Non-League Day and we’ve got so many fans in for the game we were outstanding. Barrow are a very good side, who pass it very well and play the right way.

“We had to be very patient and take our chances when they came; Frankie’s set-piece delivery is quality and I felt he was rewarded for that with his goal”.

Bromley took the lead inside the first ten minutes of the game when Omar Bugiel headed home Raymond’s corner, although Barrow manager Ian Evatt felt the goal should have been chalked off for off-side.

He said: “We’ve been undone today by two set pieces, but the first for me was clearly three yards off-side and I’m not sure why that’s been given. It’s very tough to take”.

Despite that goal, the Barrow boss was keen to praise his young side who bossed possession with a slick passing style.

“I’m proud of my side and our style, they show bravery and courage to play the way we do.

“It looks strange for a home side to sit as deep as Bromley did and give us so much respect, but I do believe we are that good. “However, ultimately we were undone by set-pieces but we’re a young side and we will dust ourselves down and go again”. For all of Barrow’s possession, in truth, they lacked quality where it counted in the final third, particularly in the first half which allowed Bromley to take a narrow lead into the interval. The second half saw Barrow far more dangerous going forward and they were promptly rewarded for their bright start with a fantastic goal from debutant Erico Esteves De Sousa. Picking up a dropping ball 25 yards out from goal, De Sousa hit a dipping volley into the top lefthand corner of the net giving David Gregory absolutely no chance. Buoyed by the equaliser, Barrow continued to take the game to Bromley but the best they could muster was another long-range strike from De Sousa, which this time flashed just wide of Gregory’s post. With chances largely at a premium throughout the game, Bromley’s winner came somewhat out of the blue. Raymond’s free-kick from the right touchline caught the wind and deceived everyone before nestling into the corner of the net. STAR MAN: Paul Rooney (Bromley) ATT: 2,211 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Paul Howard 8/10