SUPERSUB UMERAH IS THE HERO FOR STONES
SUBSTITUTE Josh Umerah struck an equaliser a minute from time to hand Wealdstone a deserved share of the spoils, while denting Bromley’s play-off hopes.
Top scorer Umerah netted seven minutes into his introduction after Bromley’s captain Byron Webster had put the visitors ahead.
His strike came while Bromley were playing out with ten men after boss Andy Woodman had used all three substitutions and Luke Coulson went off injured in the 83rd minute.
“We should’ve been out of sight,” Woodman said. “We had some really good chances first half, but didn’t really put them away. Even second half we had good chances.
“One nil with 30 seconds left on the clock and we got caught with a ball across the box. We were unlucky not to get the three points – the lads will be disappointed, but they should be chuffed with how they’ve gone about their stuff today.”
Bromley were agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 21st minute when Corey Whitely struck a powerful effort from range which rebounded off of the crossbar.
They went close again five minutes later, the Ravens nearly scored again as Webster rose highest at the far post to head Billy Bingham’s corner goal-bound, but Aaron Henry was well-positioned to make a vital goal line clearance.
Bromley started the second half the better too with Webster nodding Coulson’s floated corner just over the crossbar.
The Stones, though, came back into the game amd went tantalisingly near to seizing the initiative themselves when Henry was denied by the crossbar after firing an effort from an acute angle.
But on 74 minutes it was Bromley who broke the deadlock when Webster headed Chris Bush’s long throw into the top corner past George Wickens.
The introduction of Umerah proved fruitful as Wealdstone posed more of an attacking threat culminating in the sub popping up in the box and converting past Ellery Balcombe.
Wealdstone rallied for a late winner in the seven additional minutes but Balcombe produced a string of top-quality saves to deny the Stones.
Wealdstone assistant manager Matt Saunders said: “It was a very tactical game but we got in more good areas today than we probably have in any other game.
“Their goal was from a long throw which is frustrating, but then after that we should have gone on and won the game by two or three goals. We’ve hit the bar three or four times and their goalkeeper has made three unbelievable saves to keep them in it.
“For a part-time club like ours to be coming away from games like this feeling frustrated we haven’t won, is incredible and testament to how good we’ve become.”