By Mark Doig at Hayes Lane
IT was another tough evening for Bromley as they were beaten 5-0 by visitors Leyton Orient in their Sky Bet League One derby.
Following their 7-2 to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, Ravens’ manager Andy Woodman made six changes to his starting line-up at Hayes Lane. It didn’t have the desired effect, though, as their seventeen-month unbeaten home record came to an end.
Although the hosts started brightly, it was Orient’s Yusuf Akhamrich who eased in from the left for the first goal attempt, however, he couldn’t get any power on it and Shamal George saved easily.
Captain Isaac Hayden then had a shot from the edge of the area blocked bravely and when it came back out, he skewed his attempted hook over.
Further good Bromley build-up play came to nothing, either as a result of mis-placed final passes or good Orient defending
The visitors’ slick passing created chances at the other end and Jaze Kabia stung George’s palms with a fierce drive from wide right. Phillip Chinedu sent Demetri Mitchell clear down the left and Akhamrich met it with a shot that drew a good save out of George. Fin Stevens then delivered a deep cross and Kabia volleyed over.
By now, the visitors were well on top and it came as no surprise when they broke the deadlock nine minutes before half-time. Charlie Wellens picked out Stevens with a corner and his header was saved brilliantly by George. It was cleared as far as Akhamrich whose pinpoint cross was headed home by Kabia.
Searching for a quick response, Marcus Ifill crossed for Richard Taylor and his header down was smothered by goalkeeper Noah Phillips. Then Taylor went even closer when his shot clipped the top of the upright.
At a goal down at half-time, Bromley were still in the game. However, seven minutes after the restart, their hopes were in tatters. While spectators were still finding their seats after their half-time refreshments, Akhamrich finished with cold efficiency. Then he got possession on the right, exchanged passes and eased across goal before stroking it inside the far post.
Victor Adeboyejo struck a shot straight at Phillips before Akhamrich drove a shot beyond the far post from the left.
Wellens then set up Kabia and he drew a great save out of George.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Orient added a fourth. Wellens’ corner picked out Will Forrester whose header struck Kabia and trickled over the goal-line as the defenders watched on in anguish.
Jacob Mendy had a shot for Bromley that took a massive deflection and looped into the arms of a grateful Phillips.
Then George saved easily from Akhamrich who was seeking his hat-trick.
As the game moved into stoppage-time, Orient added a fifth with three substitutes involved. Nicholas Oyekunle and Tony Springett combined to set up Armando Dobra and he finished well.
Despite back-to-back heavy defeats, it’s very early in Bromley’s first-ever season in the third tier and manager Andy Woodman will be working tirelessly to settle into the division.
Bromley: George; Ifill, Saville, Sowunmi, Taylor; Thompson (Cheek 52), Mendy (Cowin 77); Archer (Whiteley 62), Conteh (Hondermarch 77), Pinnock; Adeboyejo (Kabamba 62).
Substitutes not used: Mason, Grant.
