One point gained rather than two points dropped was the popular verdict after County twice came from behind to earn a draw from their first ever visit to Bromley.

Our visit drew Bromley’s first four figure attendance for a Blue Square South game and the Amber Army provided their usual contribution to both noise levels and refreshment revenue, though the latter drew a few grumbles about the exorbitant pricing for which the capital and its surrounds are notorious.  The location is generally pleasing though, a proper football ground with an impressive photograph in the entrance foyer of the first FA Amateur Cup final to be staged at Wembley Stadium when 96,000 saw Bromley beat Romford in 1949.  The warmth of the welcome matched the venue with no tiresome anti Welsh banter, so it was pleasing that the Amber Army also did not descend into xenophobia!

County quickly settled into the game with most of the early pressure coming at the home end though it was first strike to Bromley.  Nathan Davies was a little unfortunate in the 17th minute when a ricochet off him took the ball into the path of home striker GARETH WILLIAMS who took full advantage of his good fortune to fire a ground shot from the left past Glyn Thompson. 

Parity was soon restored though when County replied in the 24th minute.  Lee Fowler appeared to clatter into Peter Adeniyi on the halfway line freeing the ball for Nathan Davies who started a neat exchange between himself, Richard Evans and Damon Searle.  The move ended with Searle making space past hapless full-back Mark Corneille and flighting a cross towards the far post where CHARLIE GRIFFIN was waiting to pounce for his ninth goal of the season.  Williams was always a threat for Bromley however, and he linked well with Garath McCleary on the right though County continued to shade the first half before an unfortunate accident involving goalscorer Griffin.

The hard working striker was back defending for County in the right-back position when he was involved in what seemed an innocuous challenge which left him with a gashed ankle.  Paramedics were quickly on the scene and Griffin was taken to hospital for emergency treatment to stem the flow of blood from what was suspected to be a split artery.  He was later able to travel back with the County party but is likely to face a few weeks out.

Julian Alsop was the obvious replacement but he was given little chance to make an impression in the third quarter of the game as Bromley looked dangerous.  The County midfield struggled to contain their thrusts though Nathan Davies, the one natural ball winner in the squad, was working overtime to stem the flow of home attacks. 

In the 70th minute their pressure paid off as Nic McDonnell hit a ball forward that found McCLEARY in so much space that there was more of a suspicion of offside but the Bromley winger still had plenty of work to do.  He beat Thompson who had been forced to come rushing from his goal towards the touchline on the County left, and then found the target through a forest of Newport legs as defenders scrabbled back to attempt to clear the danger. 

It was difficult to see County retrieving the situation at that point but retrieve it they did as Evans exchanged passes with Fowler before outwitting Corneille and hitting the perfect cross for ALSOP to connect at the back post and head past Walker.   Thompson pulled off the save of the day to deny Williams before Craig Hughes, in his 100th County appearance, fired just past the post.

Clearly the away fans were the happier at the end, but the result was just about right after an enthralling contest that was played in a good spirit and was well-refereed.

Man of the Match;

Bromley: Gareth Williams just shades it from the other goalscorer Garath McCleary.

County: Nathan Davies - overwhelmingly took the vote from the travelling fans.

Special mention: Charlie Griffin - get fit again soon Charlie!