A SUCKER PUNCH FOR SOLIHULL BOSS ANDY
BROMLEY all but sealed a spot in the National League play-off semi-finals with a comfortable victory over fellow play-off contenders Solihull Moors.
The Ravens established a two-goal lead in the first half with a Michael Cheek penalty and a Jude Arthurs close-range header before Ben Krauhaus made sure of the three points with a low finish five minutes from time.
“All credit to the lads, we’ve worked really hard this week from the Barnet game through to today, they were completely professional and knew what I wanted,” Bromley manager
Andy Woodmansaid.
“We were disciplined in our shape, we had to be patient and then we were ruthless when it mattered.
“We have our mojo going into the play-offs.”
It took 20 minutes for the game to come alive.
The first effort broke the deadlock. Corey Whitely fed Krauhaus and his run was impeded in the penalty area by Joe Newton. Cheek smashed home the resultant penalty to give Bromley the lead.
Moments before halftime, Arthurs headed the Ravens into a 2-0 lead. Kamarl Grant and Josh Passley combined well down the right and the former’s cross was then met by Arthurs.
The goal was not without controversy as the Solihull defenders surrounded the referee adamant that Arthurs had used his hand to divert the ball home – something that Moors manager, Andy Whing also stated at the end.
With a two-goal lead to protect and Solihull chasing the game, the second half largely resembled a holding pattern until the Moors introduced striker Mark Beck midway through the half.
He nearly had an immediate impact when his knock down from a long throw fell to Jack Stevens but the midfielder skied his effort. That was to be as good as it got for the visitors.
Whitely drew a fine double save from Nick Hayes in the Solihull goal. Hayes blocked the initial effort but the follow-up strike from 25 yards drew an even better fingertip stop.
Bromley were not to be denied a third, however, as they pressedSolihull into an error and when the ball eventually fell to Krauhaus, he fired low past Hayes to seal the win and the three points.
The victory ensured Bromley need just one point from their final two games to guarantee a bye through to the National League playoff semis.
Whing conceded his side deserved to lose but was unhappy with some of the decisions.
He said: “We were laboured today and didn’t deserve to get anything but the first two goals I have questions about.
“The first, Krauhaus wasn’t tripped but the second goal is punched into the net. It’s a massive decision – how did the referee give that? It was laughable.
“Decisions turn games and those were massive ones.”
STAR MAN: Ashley Charles (Bromley) ATT: 3,012 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Dale Baines