Spirited Motormen Lose at Bromley

The Motormen made the midweek trip to Kent as they faced Bromley in the 1st Round of the London Senior Cup.

With 1st team manager watching on from the stands he handed the reigns over to reserve team manager George Perendes and 1st team coach Mark Holloway who picked a much changed line up including several of the reserves sitting on the bench, one of those being 16 year old Callum Gregory.

Bromley meanwhile had a mixture of squad players who were either returning from loan periods or knocking on the door of the 1st team who were currently riding high in the National League. Bromley showed their intent in the competition fielding a strong side which included goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe and striker Kido Taylor-Hart who were on loan from Chelsea and Arsenal respectively.

Redbridge started the game confidently as Soumen Nandi had the first effort but shot was always rising whilst Remi Nelson tried his luck which although on target lacked conviction and was easily gathered by Sharman-Lowe.

Bromley soon started showing they were a full time side with some nice passing and quick touches and it didn’t take look before they took the lead after just 14 minutes. A ball found it’s way to Bim Pepple who opened up his body looking for the far corner, Redbridge debutant keeper Seb Barford did well to palm the effort away but it was only straight back into the path of Noah Joyce who took a touch before knocking the ball across the line.

Just three minutes later and the home side doubled their advantage, Joyce put in Todd Miller down the right who first time laid the ball across the six yard box and this time Pepple went from provider to scorer as he turned the ball home unmarked at the far post.

Taylor-Hart who was looking very impressive then rode a couple of challenges before his shot drifted just wide of the upright but after 22 minutes it did become 3-0 in an almost carbon copy of the second goal.

The same two players combining again as Miller showed good feet to beat his man before pulling away from him and crossing into the middle where Pepple got between the two centre half’s and made no mistake from close range.

The game was already looking to be running away from Redbridge who were finding it tough going to keep up with the home side who were certainly looking like the full time professional side.

Pepple was almost in again but this time Barford did well to come out quickly and deny the striker a 1st half hattrick before an important tackle by Henry Day denied another chance for the Ravens.

On 38 minutes the deficit was reduced when Peter Mokwenye played a ball into the path of Warren Kayembe(pictured) who made the most of his first opportunity that came his way as he slid in and knocked the ball past an outstretched leg of Sharman-Lowe.

It was not long however before the 3 goal advantage was restored , a cheap free kick was awarded central to goal which was taken by James Vennings who drilled a low effort around the wall and past a stranded Barford into the corner of the goal, this proved to be last action of the half.

Into the second period and with a changed formation Redbridge looked lively from the off, Nandi winning his side a corner which was swung in finding Nelson who got in front of his defender but could only succeed in heading onto the roof of the net.

Reuben Campbell then went on a powerful run forward before being upended on the edge of the box, Kayembe firing the resulting free-kick into the wall.

Redbridge were enjoying far more of the ball in the early stages of the second period , Day winning a loose ball found the run of substitute Rio Mudham-Hedley who almost scored with his first touch but Sharman-Lowe was able to make the block.

The same player was not to be denied soon after however when a good forward run by Nandi saw him play the ball out wide, he took a touch to settle himself before firing into the far corner of the net to make it 4-2.

It was certainly now the away side who were asking most of the questions and they almost scored again when Mokwenye played over a cross from the left finding Kayembe who just flicked his effort wide.

Bromley then came forward down the other end as substitute Nathan Paul-Lavaly showed quick pace to beat a defender however his cross was cut out by Barford who moments later was shown a yellow card for rushing out his area and bringing down Ryan Jones who looked to be through on goal.

The resulting free-kick was taken again by Vennings in a similar position to that of which he had scored however this time fortunately for Redbridge the ball went just over the bar.

Nandi who had come alive after the break again run at the Bromley defence however he chose to shoot with his weaker left foot and the chance soon went, Callum Corbin then shot straight into the chest of Barford before Kayembe tried a curling effort which the keeper was also equal to.

Into injury time Redbridge made two further changes including the said above Gregory who in just a short time on the pitch showed maturity and confidence years above him and certainly looks one for the future.

The final chance of the match fell to Redbridge as Kayembe flashed a shot which looked to be heading for the top corner however Sharman-Lowe had to be alert to make a good stop

With that full time was called as Bromley progress into the next round whilst Redbridge come away with their heads held high especially after a much improved second half showing.

report by Adam Silver