Bromley 2 Barnet 2 – Plenty of drama before honours end even in National League clash
BY MARK DOIG
Although Bromley might have been expected to beat Barnet, circumstances conspired to dash their hopes and the point they gained was well merited.
As a result, they are still very well placed in the National League and may look back to think that this was a very important point. Earlier in the week, Barnet manager Tim Flowers departed with England C manager Paul Fairclough taking temporary control. Then on the eve of the match it was confirmed that non-league step 2 would not continue, so the Bees could play free of fear of relegation.
The visitors started strongly and Mark Cousins was called into making an early save from Ephron Mason-Clark. However, it was the hosts who went ahead in the eighth minute when Michael Cheek burst through but Scott Loach stood up tall and it came back off his legs. Eventually, it fell to Cheek and he pulled back for Liam Trotter to finish clinically.
Any hopes of it being plain sailing for the Ravens were dashed two minutes later when a massive moment of controversy went against them. Courtney Baker-Richardson got in behind the defensive line but Joe Kizzi got back to make what appeared to be a clean tackle in the area. Referee Tom Bishop thought otherwise and awarded a penalty and also felt that the challenge constituted violent conduct and sent Kizzi off. Baker-Richardson took the kick himself and sent Cousins the wrong way.
Cheek fired over as one-time England full international squad member Loach went down injured with a dislocated elbow which meant that he had to be replaced. However, Barnet had goalkeeper Aymen Azaze on the bench so it was not too disastrous for them.
Baker-Richardson and Lee Vaughan both missed chances for Barnet before Bromley had a penalty shout brushed aside when the already cautioned Liam Daly appeared to have brought down Jack Bridge in the area. So incensed was Bromley manager Neil Smith shortly after that he was shown a red card for dissent.
In the five additional minutes, Bromley had another good shout for a penalty turned down when a two handed shove in the back of Duffus, which knocked him over, went unpunished.
It took a little longer for the second half to get going with just a wide Cheek 45-yard attempt when seeing Azaze off his line causing any problems. However, on the hour mark, the referee made another big decision, this one in Bromley’s favour. Frankie Raymond’s free-kick picked out Jack Holland and his header hit Daly. The referee deemed that it had struck Daly on the arm and there was little argument from the Bees. Cheek stepped up and although Azaze went the right way, the spot kick was accurate and powerful enough to put Bromley back ahead.
Just as they had done in the first half, Barnet responded almost immediately and two minutes later they levelled again. This time Ephron Mason-Clark got free down the right and crossed for Michael Petrasso to finish with a brilliant first time volley.
Azaze and Cheek went for a high cross and with both down it came out to substitute Ben Williamson who hooked his first time effort wide. After treatment, Azaze was good to continue but Cheek’s match was done and he was replaced by Charlie Wakefield.
Jerome Binnom-Williams whistled a shot just over before Barnet were reduced to 10 men with nine minutes remaining. James Dunne was shown a yellow card for dissent but, before play was restarted, presumably further dissent resulted in a second yellow card and he was also sent down the tunnel.
Raymond for Bromley and Petrasso for Barnet had half chances in injury time but an eventful match ended with the honours shared.
PHOTOS/COPYRIGHT: ROB AVIS
