Pre-Season Friendly
Team: Charles, Adamson, Dunne, Clarke-Salter, Kemper, Alemayehu, Morgan, Smyth, Chair, Lloyd, Sanyaolu
Subs: Warren, Putman, Akindileni, Larkeche, Ikoroha, Pearman, Scarlett, Sutton
Attendance: 3,614
After meeting up with Simon Staal at Rayners Lane, by the time we reached Harrow-on-the-Hill Station, it was confirmed that, due to a fire in the West Hampstead area, part of the Metropolitan and Jubilee Lines had been suspended.
However, after bumping into Greg and Trish Phillips, we crossed platforms and took the train to Marylebone to continue the rest of our journey.
Simon, fellow Swedish ‘R’ Niklas, and I, sat behind the goal. Most of the Rangers fans were situated in the far corner. but many more were spread around the ground.
The R’s took the lead within two minutes after Ilias Chair had knocked the ball out to Philip Sanyaolu.
The Rangers winger then bombed down the wing before picking out the R’s No.10 in the box, who fired the ball into the corner.
The R’s doubled their lead a couple of minutes later. And once again, Ilias Chair was the provider. His through-ball found Alfie Lloyd, who finished with an angled shot.
At the other end, the Ravens’ No.11’s dangerous cross somehow evaded everyone in the box.
In the 21st minute, Isak Alemayehu let fly from around 25 yards, and the ball bounced off the crossbar.
Then, Philip Sanyaolu, in a widish position, curled his shot just wide of the far post. And shortly after, getting into space, his strike at goal was blocked.
For the hosts, their No.11’s shot from just inside the box, was blocked by Boy Kemper.
Paul Smyth added a third on 40 minutes after the R’s winger had wriggled his way forward, and his resulting shot found the bottom corner.
The half-time whistle was blown after two added minutes.
With the night sky clouding over, Isak Alemayehu, now in a more forward role, belted the ball just wide of the target.
On 53 minutes, the Swedish midfielder scored with a spectacular overhead kick which even the Bromley fans had to acknowledge.
It was five just two minutes later when Philip Sanyaolu headed in a deep cross at the far post.
Alfie Lloyd nabbed his second of the night a few minutes later when his attempt went through Dillon Addai’s legs.
The final goal of the evening arrived on 67 minutes from the penalty spot. Alfie Lloyd stepped up to complete his hat-trick.
For the Ravens, a header went wide following a corner.
Julien Stephan made two changes on 70 minutes, when he introduced Leon Scarlett and Jaylan Pearman at the expense of Ilias Chair and Philip Sanyaolu respectively.
Leon Scarlett made an instant impact and in the 80th minute Boy Kemper and Paul Smyth made way for Ziyad Larkeche and Emmerson Sutton.
Leon Scarlett, now on the right-flank, had his angled strike blocked in the six-yard box.
For Bromley, a free kick from just outside the box curled just wide of the target.
The final change was made in the closing stages when Jaiden Putman replaced Kealey Adamson.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Simon Staal for the above photo)