Bromley 2-1 Kingstonian
NURSE-ING IT BETTER

Coming off the back of a comprehensive victory at Met Police, K's travelled to Hayes Lane seeking to extend a fine start to their pre-season campaign against a Bromley side managed by Stuart McIntyre's - formerly a member of the coaching staff at Kingsmeadow - and assisted by former K's defender Eddie Saunders.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Playing with Liam Collins and Mark Jones in the wing back roles, the K's side saw a change of personnel in midfield from the weekend, with Craig Lewington, Billy Mead and Chris Nurse occupying the central roles.

Lining up for Bromley were two former Kingstonian men in stalwart Colin Luckett - veteran of 349 matches in the hoops - and Danny Smith.

The game started with both sides showing their intent. Bromley forward Tony Read laid a ball off to Steve Potterill who sent in a cross which Read sent just wide of the target. At the other end, Liam Collins sent in a deep ball which was headed wide across goal by Stafford Browne.

The opening goal came in the eleventh minute when Chris Nurse picked up the ball just outside the area and rifled in a spectacular goal past the despairing dive of the home goalkeeper.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Midway through the half, Read went close when his running strike from the edge of the area rattled the bar and away to safety. Almost in response at the other end, Collins sent in a ball to Billy Mead, via Grant Payne, that was struck with venom by the midfielder only to hit the crossbar.

Mead was involved again when he found Stafford Browne lurking in the six yard box. Browne's header was well blocked by the goalkeeper at point blank range, though a raised offside flag would have denied the hitman should the ball have found the back of the net anyway.

The opening to the second period was filled with action, starting with good work by Nurse along the left flank before finding Bashiru Alimi who slotted the ball through to Browne to tap home at the far post. The linesman's flag was raised once more for offside, and this time it did deny the striker a goal.

Almost straight away down the other end, the K's defence got themselves into a mess when, pressured by Read, Matt Elverson put the ball past Lance Key into his own goal thus levelling the scores.

Barely five minutes later the Ravens took the lead when Adolf Amoako set up substitute Kirk Watts to score with a shot across Key's goal.

A K's equaliser should have followed after Billy Mead's dipping shot hit the crossbar again, this time rebounding back into the danger area only for Stafford Browne to send his snapshot well over the target.

Photo: kingstonian.net

Chances were limited through to the end of the half when after substitute Josh Francois had held the ball up well, a curling Liam Collins shot destined for the top corner of the net was well saved by the home goalkeeper to ensure victory for his side.

Despite suffering their first defeat of the summer, the game was a good workout for the side against a committed Bromley side. The game certainly underlined the credentials of the returning Billy Mead and youngster Chris Nurse, and for that alone was a worthwhile exercise.