Report

Broms came up to the final hurdle on one of the most impressive runs the club has surely seen. Stats can be painted to show a host of different things but no matter which way you look at it Broms' form this season it has been impressive.

The win yesterday finished a 14 game unbeaten run and 12 wins in a row. They have scored an average of 3.3 goals per game and conceded an average of just 2 goals per game (1.6 if you discount the Thorntonians game).

The belief that the title could be brought back to Lower Gravel Road was realised back in January when Citigroup were defeated at Fortress Lower Gravel. Broms battled and fought during that 90 minutes and came off the pitch with a belief that was to take them through to the end of the season. In the seven games proceeding the Citigroup game Broms have scored 24 goals (an average of over 3 per game) and conceded just 7 (an average of just one per game). Prior to that game back in January Citigroup were champions elect and were looking good for the LFA Cup. They now find themselves out the cup and struggling for promotion. Banamex, Banco Cuscatlan, Banco Uno, Citimortgage, CitiInsurance, Egg
Card, Primerica, Smith Barney, Woman and Co … your boys took one hell of a beating!

And so it was Broms came into the final game with the simple task of securing a draw and they would be champions. Broms were in no mood for complacency though and they were sent to the field knowing that a draw would be unacceptable and the target was to continue the 100% run.

Bromleians arrived early to ensure a good pre-match warm up and after seeing John Fisher take to the field before them Broms knew that their local rivals were in no mood to roll over.
It was a delicious irony that the game followed the fortunes of the season. Broms started well, had an early scare, battled out a scrappy middle and ran out clear winners after getting stronger as the game went on.

Despite a few scares Broms started well and created some good early chances. Simpson and Owens were peppering the keeper who seemed to be unorthodox but effective until he gifted Simpson the first goal. This seemed to spur on Fisher who were unrecognizable to the team faced at Warlingham Road. Parity should have been secured but Olly Page made a superb block from close range keeping Broms lead intact. Fisher continued to press though and equalised shortly after, but it was testament to the quality of the Broms defense that it took a 35 yard wondergoal to break the back line.

Broms tasted blood and pushed on forward and is was not long before Alan Owens was hacked down in the box. There was the usual air of tension around the ground as everyone waited for the unpredictable Millward to make his decision but there were few complaints when he blew and pointed to the spot. Plumber stepped up and calmly placed the ball into the corner of the net.

The remainder of the second half was a close affair with both defenses clearing up well. Murray was his usual assured self but the pick of the Broms defenders was Adam Murphy who produced a Man of the Match performance after being rewarded a starting place over Dave Utting.

At half time the Broms all knew that they needed to lift their game and Stanford called for 10 minutes of hard graft to ensure the fourth goal was Broms' as letting Fisher back into the game would be fatal. Fisher came out for the second half with the bit between their teeth and were asking a lot of questions. Fisher looked to have secured the equaliser with a drive from the byline but Page came from nowhere and produced a save of the highest quality.

As Fisher looked to be taking the upper hand Sawyer let out the usual war cry of 'Stanford look at the shape'. For once Stanford was one step ahead and already had Petley warming up. Petley's appearance did seem to improve the Broms' shape and they never looked back. It was not long before Simpson had doubled Broms' lead after a sublime finish from an Owens cross. Ten minutes later Owens put the result beyond any doubt and the title was secured.

As Millward actually blew the whistle on time Broms started to celebrate a hard earnt and well deserved title. After the obligatory photos Broms were greeted with frozen champagne in another club first (the bar serving a cold drink!).

As the post-match drinks flowed the whole team were unanimous in their praise of the team spirit which was second to none and provided the twelfth man in every game.
Broms will be out in force for the club dinner and the bookies have already opened the book on the front runners with Murray installed as favourite due to Stanford's preference for defenders;
Murray - 5-4
Simpson - 6-4
Plumber Jnr - 2-1
Petley, Rodriguez, Sawyer - 5-2
3-1 Bar