STAINES Town’s new boss Marcus Gayle will be the happier of the two managers after a goalless draw with Bromley in the opening game of the new season at a sun-baked Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon.

In searing heat Bromley enjoyed most of the possession and created two or three first half chances, while the visitors packed their defence well to frustrate the home side’s efforts.

Bromley missed a gilt-edged chance to go ahead as early as the third minute when Ali Chaaban’s free header from Michael Malcolm’s pinpoint cross went wide of a gaping goal.

Debutant Richard Pacquette was unlucky on 10 minutes with a chip at goal following good work by the other newcomer in the side, Sanchez Ming and Chaaban.

The home side continued to press forward with Danny Waldren and Pacquette both sending headers wide, but Staines should have taken the lead on 35 minutes with their first worthwhile effort on goal.

Following a goalmouth scramble, the ball was finally cleared to Max Worsfold, whose cross was punched by Joe Welch straight to Dave Wheeler on the edge of the area and with all of the goal to aim at, he placed his shot high and wide.

The half closed with Pierre Joseph-Dubois being sent clear but the Bromley winger wanted a touch too many and the chance was gone.

Staines were more of an attacking force in the second half and Bromley have keeper Joe Welch to thank for keeping a clean sheet when he made two good one-on-one saves in the latter stages.

In the 50th minute a penetrating run by Wheeler ended in Reece Hall’s shot on the turn being blocked by a defender, before Joseph-Dubois and Moses Swaibu went close at the other end.

Just after the hour mark Pacquette mis-cued his shot in front of goal after Malcolm had beaten three defenders to set up the chance.

Substitute Louise-Rae Beadle got clear down the left with the Bromley defence appealing in vain for offside, but Welch kept his cool to advance and deflect Beadle’s shot away and eventually to safety.

Malcolm, substitute Aaron Rhule and Waldren all had efforts blocked before a sizzling 30 yard shot by Ming was palmed away by Staines keeper Jack Turner. But the last chance went to the visitors with four minutes remaining.

Following a Bromley corner, Elliot Godfrey broke away down the right and his raking cross fell to the feet of Tony Garrod who had come in on the blind side.

But the brave Welch had seen the danger and advanced to dive at the feet of Garrod to deny him his moment of glory.

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt

Bromley: Welch, Ming, Patterson, Fuseini, Swaibu, Harwood, Joseph-Dubois (Rhule 72), Waldren, Pacquette (McDonnell, 63), Chaaban (Araba, 76), Malcolm. Subs not used: Sobers, Jones. Att: 483.