Charlton progress but Bromley push them all the way

Substitute Myles Leaburn scored the only goal as Charlton Athletic defeated Bromley in the Bristol Street Motors Football League Trophy, Southern Group C.

EFL Division Two newcomers Bromley knew that only a victory would send them through to the last thirty-two against the Division One hosts who had already qualified. However, Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones put out a strong team to keep them fresh due to them having a blank weekend ahead.

There was very little to get excited about early on as the teams worked each other out. Rarmani Edmonds-Green blazed a shot high and wide for the Addicks before Nathan Asiimwe clipped in a cross that Kai Enslin headed over.

Enslin hit a shot that deflected off team mate Luke Berry to wrong foot Bromley goalkeeper Sam Long but he adjusted well to make a smart low save.

Although Charlton enjoyed more of the possession, their build up was slow with their defenders regularly taking as many as five touches before moving it on allowing the Ravens to hold their shape. It might have cost the hosts when Bromley won a corner and it was only cleared as far as debutant George Penn. He struck a clean volley from twenty five yards but Ashley Maynard-Brewer was equal to it with an excellent acrobatic tip over.

Just before half time, Charlton manager Jones was sent off harshly for controlling the ball just before it left the field of play.

Early in the second period Bromley won a free kick in a dangerous area but Cameron Congreve was unable to get it over the defensive wall. The visitors continued to attempt to work their way through but they found the Addicks defensive unit well drilled.

At the other end, Enslin fired well over from twenty five yards then substitute Myles Leaburn was also unable to keep an effort down.

Twenty minutes remained on the clock when the deadlock was finally broken. Captain Conor Coventry played it through to Greg Docherty, he squared it and Leaburn’s controlled shot took a slight deflection to beat Long.

Edmonds-Green, who had a loan spell at Bromley in 2019, headed over from a cross by Gassan Ahadme then Enslin exchanged passes with Josh Edwards before his drilled shot was well beaten out by Long.

It wasn’t all one way, though. Olufela Olomola threaded a pass through to Levi Amantchi who held off his man before shooting low towards the far post but Maynard-Brewer got down to make a good diving save.

Former England defender Carl Jenkinson made a last ditch block from Leaburn, who had been played in by Coventry, before Bromley had one last chance to claim a point, plus a potential second from a penalty shoot-out. Amantchi let fly but his shot was deflected and it looped over the bar.

Whilst the Ravens’ campaign ended, Charlton progressed to the last thirty-two with a one hundred percent record.

Charlton Athletic: Maynard-Brewer, Asiimwe (Rylah 65, (Laqeretabua 90+2)), Edwards, Edmonds-Green, Mitchell, Gillesphey, Coventry, Enslin, Ahadme (Hylton 87), Berry (Docherty 65), Taylor (Leaburn 46). Subs not used: Reid, Campbell.

Bromley: Long, Passley (Paul-Lavaly 56), Congreve (Corbin 73), Jenkinson, Reynolds, Topalloj. Penn, Olomola, Thomas (Evans 73), Amantchi, Leigh. Subs not used: Aziaya, Moralee, Paye, Hilden.