Brom Proof.

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Intro

Bromley Heath United were enjoying a very decent run of form – only one loss in 10 games in all competitions – before losing narrowly away at Henbury & Rockleaze last weekend. Currently plying their trade in the Gloucestershire County League in which they are, at present, occupying 7th position. A month ago they beat Filton Athletic in the previous round of today’s cup competition – a 2-0 home win against the newly promoted side who are a place above them in the league.

Today’s visitors, Longlevens Reserves, are from the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. This is one of the feeder leagues to the Gloucestershire County League, making Longlevens the underdogs today. Despite being 4th in the league, promotion looks impossible thanks to Tewkesbury Town’s phenomenal record of winning all but two games so far, and Whaddon United’s even better effort of only failing to win on one occasion.

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The Ground

Pomphrey Hill Pavilion is located on the eastern fringe of Bristol, literally down the road from Mangotsfield United’s Cossham Street stadium. The pavilion itself was built in 2011, and provides top facilities for several local sports clubs – inside there are changing facilities, function rooms, a bar and a food outlet. There are several football pitches, as well as a cricket field; it also lies adjacent to a rugby club. In terms of reaching this facility there is a large car park, and a number of bus routes nearby.

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The Match

Kicking off in rare sunshine both teams took a while to settle into their strides, but it was the visitors from Gloucester who seemed to settle first. Longleven’s number 7 broke the offside trap and got to the ball before Bromley Heath goalkeeper Will Ferguson, slotting home well to take the lead. The visitors’ lead did not last long, however as the hosts equalised on 13 minutes. Olly Hanham burst forward but found his shot – and the follow-up – saved well by Christian Royles. However the ball rebounded towards the head of Cam Ford who managed to loop his effort in from a reasonable distance. The game was turned around 11 minutes later as a low cross from Jake Millward was turned home. From where I was standing it looked to be an own goal, but the Bromley Heath Twitter account awarded the goal to Hanham so I’ll go with that too. Just 2 minutes later Hanham struck again and the game seemed to be getting away from the visitors. On the half-hour mark United nearly made it 4, but Ford couldn’t connect with a cross in front of an open goal. An absolute rocket of a shot from Millward flew just wide of the goal before, at the other end of the pitch, Longlevens won themselves a corner. It was sent towards the near post where it was turned home by their number 5 to claw the underdogs back into the tie. Just 4 minutes later the hosts restored their 2 goal advantage – a dangerous long throw was finished from close range by Hanham, who in doing so secured a first half hattrick for himself. There was time for Bromley’s Joel Mitchlemore to test Royles with a snap-shot, before referee Colin McNulty brought a pulsating 45 minutes of football to a close.

Longlevens looked to start the second period on the front foot – their number 18 trying to catch Ferguson out with a quickly-hit shot, but it was too close to the shot stopper. Just before the hour mark some cool-headed defending from the away number 5 just about got the ball to safety and he was able to head the ball behind. 3 minutes later the visitors’ number 11 turned and shot, forcing an acrobatic save from Ferguson – Longlevens were pushing to reduce the deficit. An ambitious shot from their number 16 followed, but it was sliced wide before the assistant referee came to the hosts’ rescue; Longlevens were convinced the ball had crossed the goal line, but the linesman was well-placed to make a decision. As it happened it mattered little – corner awarded after the prior events caused mayhem in the United penalty area and it was eventually prodded home. The visitors were within a goal of parity. Bromley Heath were somewhat under the cosh and with 8 minutes remaining they almost gave way. Another corner was met by Levens’ number 14 but his goalbound header was redirected over the bar by a United defender. This turned out to be the last glimmer of hope for the visitors, as 5 minutes later substitute Trai Elliston-Sackett headed in from a corner. And a minute later Heath were out of sight – a good cross led to a fine point-blank save from Christian Royles, but the ball fell kindly for Mason Lewis who nodded in.

It was perhaps a cruel end to the game for the visitors, but it can’t be denied that Bromley Heath were good value for their win. They will meet league rivals Frampton United in the final at the Gloucestershire FA headquarters. As for the Pomphrey Hill Pavilion; it is a great facility which, judging by today, gets a good amount of usage from the locals. I received a friendly welcome and thoroughly enjoyed my visit.

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The Photos

The full gallery of match photos is also available HERE