Chelmsford 1 v 1 Bromley

Ryman Premier

BROMLEY got their Ryman League Premier Division season off to a good start at title favourites Chelmsford, taking a well-earned point home from their trip to the Essex city, writes Patrick Harris.

The Lillywhites lined up 4-4-2 and got off to a lively start playing the ball around quickly and testing the home defence but the Clarets back line held up well.

Peter Adeniyi had the only half chance as he cut in from the right but blazed his effort over from a tight angle.

Chelmsford rallied and put Bromley under sustained pressure with former Brighton and Hove Albion captain Jeff Minton heading narrowly wide and Andy Walker pulling off a great save soon after.

The home side's pressure eventually paid off on the half hour when Mark Corneille conceded a penalty for a clear pull.

He was probably lucky to stay on the pitch but the punishment was complete when Minton tucked away the penalty despite Walker getting a hand to it.

Chelmsford looked very solid and were quicker to every loose ball as Bromley tried to pass their way around The Clarets.

Going into the break Bromley did improve with Adeniyi sending in a cross which was headed away from under the bar.

The second half saw Bromley start very well and put Jeff King's men on the back foot.

From a Barry Moore free kick Nic McDonnell headed over and Moore then had a powerful shot which hit McDonnell and deflected wide.

The equaliser finally came on the hour when a free kick for hand ball on the right was sent in by Moore and after missing everyone it hit right back Chris Duffy on the far post and rolled into the net, with Tony Boot claiming the goal.

With new impetus the Lillywhites carried on pushing for goals as Boot had a shot saved by Richard McKinney.

Following a lengthy delay after Chelmsford's Liam Hopkins suffered a head injury, the hosts got back into things and had a spell on top.

However, the Lillywhites asked questions too and Boot did brilliantly to control an Adeniyi cross only to see his volley well saved, while the ever impressive Tutu Henriques headed just over from a corner.

In the last few minutes the Clarets had three good chances to snatch the win but Jason Hallett and Gavin Herroo fired over and Walker saved well from Ricky Holmes to keep the well-earned point for Bromley.

MATCH FACTS BROMLEY: Walker, Corneille, Wood, Henriques, O'Sullivan, Adeniyi, Moore, Bowry, Watts (Fieldwick, 90), McDonnell, Boot.

SUBS NOT USED: Power, Stone, Drewett, Tiesse.

ATT: 777.

The manager's view

MARK Goldberg said: "We went to Chelmsford with the attitude we would be happy with a draw but when we equalised we put them under pressure and felt we could have got a winner.

"We were a little disappointed not to come away with a win.

"I was pleased with the general work ethic of the players and how the full backs penetrated the channels and over-lapped.

"However, I was a little disappointed we did not test their goalkeeper more often because we generally kept possession well and dominated the game.

"We will treat Staines with the same respect we treated Chelmsford because they will want to come at us.

"We will be approaching the match with a positive attitude."