A young Bromley side suffer defeat against Colchester United in the Premier League Cup
A young Bromley side travelled to the JobServe Community Stadium on Monday night to take on Colchester United U21s in the Premier League Cup. The last time the Ravens faced off in the prestigious competition saw them emerge triumphant against Sunderland U21s at the CopperJax Community Stadium – goals from Sam German and Alex Stepien-Iwumene sealed a 2-1 win on the night. Prior to the encounter, Colchester had played twice in this season’s Premier League Cup, but had only picked up one point out of a possible six, as a result of drawing 2-2 with Norwich U21s and losing 2-1 to Sunderland U21s, with two red cards in the latter game.
Dawid Przybylo found himself with the chance to give Bromley a 1-0 lead on nine minutes, but the frontman was quickly closed down, resulting in a throw-in for the visitors. Nathan Patten’s launch into the box was a deep one, and the U’s couldn’t clear, allowing German to thunder a half-volley towards goal; the defender’s effort was well-saved by the goalkeeper.
A clever lofted pass from Stepien-Iwumene on 18 minutes found the feet of Freddie Taylor down the right hand side, and the number 11’s cross into the box was an inviting one, but nobody in a gold shirt could beat the ‘keeper, Trialist A for Colchester, to it.
Colu had a chance of their own 22 minutes in – Kai Martin teed up Makise Evans on the edge of the box, and the number 10 attempted to squeeze a shot in at the near post; Dillon Addai got down well to deny.
Kien Connolly got the better of Nathan Patten on 32 minutes, and the number nine steadied himself before firing goalwards; Addai produced a strong save once again.
Taylor attempted an audacious effort on the stroke of half time when he pounced on a loose backpass and chipped over the goalkeeper’s head – his shot had the ‘keeper beaten, but the ball sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
A heavy challenge from Evans on German saw the former go into the book in the third minute of first half injury time. Ronnie Harvey also received a yellow moments later, after a shove on Przybylo.
Colchester took the lead on 56 minutes through JK Gordon, who steered into the back of the net from close range. A scuffle broke out following the goal, resulting in Martin and Nathan Patten both receiving a yellow card.
Malachai Belboda, Jedd Hobbs and Dapo Anunlopo replaced Carlos Richards, Freddie Taylor and Sam Hards on 65 minutes.
Przybylo nearly levelled proceedings on 67 minutes when he found himself on the end of Belboda’s cross; the shot cannoned off the post.
Gordon’s trickery won Colchester a free-kick on the edge of the Bromley penalty area on the 70 minute mark – Martin cut the set-piece back to Lennox Emery, and the substitute’s strike flew into the top corner.
Addai denied Colchester of a third on 86 minutes with an outstretched glove.
Despite nine minutes of additional time, the referee’s final whistle confirmed a 2-0 win for Colchester. Next up in the Premier League Cup, the Ravens face Norwich U21 at the CopperJax Community Stadium on 17th November.
Written by Daniel Catlin