Bromley 2-2 AFC Fylde
Bingham 16’, Raymond 63’ – Williams 7’, 40’
A Jordan Williams brace ensured that AFC Fylde recorded a point away at a high-flying Bromley side, but the Coasters may consider themselves unlucky not to have taken all three.
Fylde made two changes for their trip to Hayes Lane, with Philliskirk and Williams in for Montrose, who missed out through injury, and Haughton, who dropped to the bench.
First Half
After a quick start, with Williams and Kosylo asking early questions of the Bromley back four, The Coasters soon had the goods to show for it.
Mark Yeates’ corner into the middle was met by Kyle Jameson who, although not completely controlling it, did enough to tee it up for Jordan Williams – who slammed home from close range, opening his account for the Coasters.
Williams has had to be patient for his chance so far this campaign, however after occupying a central role this afternoon, was full of energy and confidence, forcing Bromley centre-back Okoye into repeated errors.
Despite the positive start, the lead lasted less than ten minutes, with Bromley central midfielder Billy Bingham latching onto a ball on the edge of the box, and side footing it into the bottom left corner.
This galvanised Bromley and their supporters, and, but for a lack of composure, should have been ahead shortly after, when the ball fell to Reeco Hackett-Fairchild inside the penalty area.
The former Charlton man blazed over into the newly-built stand, fortunately for Fylde, but served as a reminder that the unbeaten Bromley side had plenty of attacking intent.
AFC Fylde did well to withstand the pressure that followed in the rest of the half, with Coulson sending a free-kick over the bar from just over 20 yards.
The patient and diligent Fylde attack soon had its reward, with Williams and Yeates combining just five minutes before the internal
Williams did brilliantly to hold up a long ball and bring Yeates into play, who returned the favour with an excellently weighted through ball.
The pacy Williams was too much for the Bromley centre-back pairing and, squeezing through, slipped the ball beyond Cousins, and the Coasters into a half-time lead.
Second Half
The half began as tight and tense an affair as the first had ended, with neither team really able to keep the ball and control in possession.
Half-chances had presented themselves for the Coasters, with Rowe and Kosylo being restricted to long-range efforts, but these didn’t cause too much distress for Cousins in the Bromley net.
Duxbury had enjoyed a physical battle with Rees throughout the first half, but after Cheek had drifted out to the right-wing, there was no doubting who had come off better.
Nipping it past Duxbury, Cheek was pressured by the full-back as he entered the box, falling to the floor in the penalty area.
Despite looking as if the initial infringement had begun well outside of the box, the referee saw fit to point to the penalty spot, and offer Bromley the chance to level.
Raymond stepped up and, despite Montgomery guessing the right way, sent the ball crashing into the net, in what was a fantastically taken penalty.
Both sides, to their credit, looked for ways to win the game, and an end-to-end finale presented itself at Hayes Lane.
Fylde’s best chance to win perhaps came as Danny Rowe intercepted a sloppy pass on the half-way line, and was able to break with substitute Willoughby in support.
With the option of Willoughby to his right, Rowe looked to shift the ball left, in the direction of the onrushing Williams.
The ball was cut out, however, and Bromley were able to mount their own last-ditch attempt to win the game, with substitute Adam Mekki forcing Montgomery into a brilliant stop, before Raymond’s half-volley flew inches wide.
Teams
Bromley: Cousins, Kizzi, Wood, Okoye (c), Coulson (Clifton 76’), Raymond, Cheek, Bingham, Bush, Hackett-Fairchild, Rees (Mekki 73’).
Subs unused: Dunne, Klass, Henry.
AFC Fylde: Montgomery, Craigen, Jameson, Byrne, Duxbury, Croasdale, Philliskirk, Kosylo (Willoughby 82’), Williams (Haughton 90’), Yeates (Whitmore 77’), Rowe.
Subs unused: Ngwatala, Lavercombe.
