Bromley maintain unbeaten start despite late Eastleigh strike

 Cavaghn Miley’s late second-half strike gave Eastleigh a share of the points after Luke Coulson threatened a dream return to the Silverlake.

In an edgy affair, former Spitfire man Luke Coulson opened the scoring 25 minutes from time with a smart chip over Eastleigh keeper Max Stryjek. However in a game that grew in tension, Eastleigh earned their just rewards with a late volley, courtesy of substitute Cavaghn Miley.

Prior to kick-off, Ben Strevens’ Eastleigh side welcomed a high-flying Bromley side to the Silverlake stadium, who were hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Unbeaten in ten matches, winning six of those, the borough in Greater London found themselves third in the National league and one point off top spot. But they were without Michael Cheek for the game; labelled “the best striker they’ve had in years” the top goal-scorer in the National League was unavailable for the trip.

Meanwhile, Eastleigh made an indifferent start to the campaign where they found consistency hard to come by. However, with just one defeat in their previous five fixtures, the Spitfires were beginning to look up rather than down.

The visitors came close after five minutes. A failed clearance by defender Andrew Boyce was pounced on by Bromley’s Alfie Doughty just outside the six-yard box. The winger got himself to the byline before flashing a wicked delivery across the box. Fortunately for the Spitfires, Michael Green was on hand to clear first.

The opening quarter of an hour was certainly lively, with both sides attempting to stamp their authority. The home side were experiencing a degree of success from the flanks whilst Bromley’s intensity in possession was also posing a threat.

Eastleigh shot-stopper Max Stryjek was forced into a smart save after Adrian Clifton got himself free in the right-side of the 18-yard box. Despite the neat control from Clifton, Stryjek rushed out to smother the low strike well.

A couple of minutes later the visitors could and should have been a goal to the good. Reeco Hackett- Fairchild untangle himself in the six-yard box from an in-swinging corner. Climbing above the struggling Eastleigh defenders, Hackett-Fairchild was unable to get any sort of meaningful contact onto his header, grazing his effort past the post.

The home side had their best chance of the game after Ben Williamson gambled on a defensive header from Chris Bush. Wriggling himself in front of the defender, Williamson’s poked shot went past the keeper but hit the side netting.

The whistle for half-time ended what was a thoroughly entertaining 45 minutes. Although there was a lack of end product from either side, both displayed qualities and an intensity that is not always associated with your typical National League game.

Photo – @_GSPhotography

The Spitfires had the first opportunity after the break when skipper Danny Holland hit a thunderous strike from just outside the box. The effort required a fingertip save from Mark Cousins to stop Hollands grabbing his fourth of the campaign.

However, former Spitfire Luke Coulson came back haunt his old side in contentious circumstances. A ball over the top found Coulson who dinked the ball over Stryjek to put the Ravens ahead. But the Eastleigh players and the 1600 odd spectators in attendance were furious. With captain Hollands leading the protests, they felt the goal should have been ruled offside.

Soon after taking the lead, Bromley reminded us why they were yet to be beaten in the league. Using what professionals call “game management” to slow down the tempo, Eastleigh struggled to regain their sting. Every chance they got, the Bromley players were falling to the floor in such dramatic fashion that it was becoming hard to believe any of them. Nonetheless, it appeared to work.

Five minutes from time, Bromley’s game management stopped working. After an initial shot hit the woodwork, the ball rebounded back into a crowded penalty area and found substitute Cavaghn Miley, who reacted first to volley it home; 1-1.

Eastleigh were now on the front foot. With the home crowd behind them, Bromley were fighting tooth and nail to keep their unbeaten record intact. Marcus Barnes, a loan acquisition from Southampton, was particularly impressive. The 22-year-old was causing the Ravens right-side all sorts of issues with his pace and power.

Bromley held on to continue their unbeaten start to the season and a result where both sides will walk away relatively happy.

Team Lineups:

Eastleigh (5-3-2): Stryjek; Seaman (Barnes 68′), Partington, Boyce, Atkinson, Green; Payne, Hollands (c), McKnight (Miley 76′); Williamson, Barnett (Rendell 52′)

Subs unused: Flitney, Bearwish

Bromley (4-3-3): Cousins; Kizzi, Bush, Okoye (c), Wood; Raymond, Bingham , Hackett-Fairchild, Doughty (Henry 78′); Coulson (Rees 76′), Clifton (Holland 70′)

Subs unused: Mekki, Klass