RAVENS ACE ALI LEAVES BOSS COOK IN A RAGE

A SIX-GOAL thriller saw Bromley increase the pressure on Chesterfield’s play-off chase as the Spireites paid the price for a lethargic performance that left boss Paul Cook fuming.

Two first-half goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and one from Luke Coulson looked to have put the game beyond the Spireites but Laurence Maguire and Tom Denton struck late in the half to leave it all to play for.

However, Corey Whitely made the points safe for the Ravens with an early strike in the second 45.

It was a performance that Cook did not hold back from criticising. “At halftime I said to the lads the most important thing was to not concede a fourth goal and Bromley’s first attack of the second half led to one of the softest goals you will ever see,” Cook raged.

“We lacked aggression and we’re a soft touch at the moment and it’s breaking my heart.”

A breakneck first half took 12 minutes to come to life. Wycombe loanee Al-Hamadi registed his first goal for the club by smashing a strike beyond Scott Loach after latching on to a Joe Partington pass.

Michael Cheek then saw a smart shot on the turn well saved by Loach but Bromley were not to be denied and the second when it came was simply exquisite.

Ellery Balcombe’s quick goal kick was killed with one touch by Coulson who then lobbed Loach with his second.

Two then became three as the Spireites defence was found wanting once more. Billy Bingham played Cheek in and his first time cross was dinked beyond Loach by Al-Hamadi.

However, the three-goal deficit seemed to spark Chesterfield into life. Twice Liam Mandeville produced teasing crosses that first Maguire then Denton dispatched to ensure the game was in the balance at the interval.

But it was Bromley who came out the traps fastest in the second 45 restoring a two goal advantage with their first effort on goal.

Al-Hamadi broke beyond the Chesterfield defence and passed for Whitely to slot beyond Loach.

The early goal seemed to crush Chesterfield’s self-belief and although they fashioned opportunities through a Denton header and Jeff King shot in truth neither effort looked like reducing the deficit. Partington could and perhaps should have added a fifth for Bromley but he planted his header the wrong side of the post from Coulson’s corner.

For Ravens boss, Andy Woodman the win was no more than he felt his side deserved. “We’ve been playing well for a while but the results haven’t reflected it. We’ve created so many chances in games and it was a matter of time before we pumped a team.

“With respect to Chesterfield we should have won by much more.”