Bromley create more history by reaching FA Cup third round – Crystal Palace loanee nets winner

Bromley created more history on Sunday when they reached the FA Cup third round for the first time in their history after a 2-1 win over National League side Solihull Moors.

The Ravens beat Solihull in the National League play-off final last season to reach League Two and Solihull’s social media accounts posted about wanting to take revenge ahead of the tie taking place.

Conor Wilkinson gave Solihull the lead after 12 minutes, smashing a left-footed effort from the edge of the box beyond Grant Smith.

But Bromley equalised three minutes later when Corey Whitely put the ball across the face of goal from a free-kick routine and Omar Sowunmi turned the ball home.

Crystal Palace loanee Danny Imray secured their place in the third round when he latched on to a ball from Ben Thompson inside the penalty area and rounded Solihull keeper Laurie Walker to score.

“We can safely say it wasn’t an FA Cup classic – it was horrendous,” said Woodman. “It’s all about the result for both teams. We caught them on a day when they had some big players out and didn’t need that.

“We huffed and puffed. We were pretty poor first half, pretty flat. We couldn’t really get to grips with the game. We changed the shape in the second half and looked a bit more of a threat, but it’s just all about the result, that’s the most important thing.

“It’s another bit of history. I’ve got a group of players who like doing that. They actually take it quite seriously that they want to change the landscape of this football club, and they’re doing that.

“It’s good for the fans – it’s good for Bromley as a community.”

Attacking wing-back Imray has scored two in his last two games. He is on a season-long loan spell from Premier League Palace, but our paper understands clubs higher up the football pyramid are keeping tabs on the 21-year-old.

“It’s brilliant,” said Imray. “We said before the match that we were going to make history today. It was a massive game as well because we beat them in the play-off final last year to make League Two.

“We knew we were going to have to dig in and that there were going to be times in the game when we would be under the cosh.

“Hopefully, I can keep it [scoring goals] up. Anything I can do to help this team, I’m happy with.

“Andy has been excellent with me since I came in from Palace – he has helped me settle in so easily.”

PICTURE: ALAMY