In Review: Grimsby Town 1 - 1 Bromley

Bromley endured a long journey north to face an in-form side who have recently claimed two automatic promotion-chasing scalps. However, after a dogged 90 minutes of football, they came away with their unbeaten run intact and maintained their lead at the top of the league. 

Turning draws into wins would be preferable, but they don’t look like a side that are about to fluff their lines. Even so, it was pretty handy that both Cambridge and Swindon drew their games.

In Machel’s absence, join me in the away end as I review The Good, The Bad and The Ugly from Bromley’s 1-1 draw at Grimsby Town.

Grimsby Town 1 Vernam 31' (pen)

Bromley 1 Kabamba 28'

Formation: 4231

Grant Smith

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Carl Jenkinson (Marcus Ifill 61')

Jesse Debrah

Omar Sowunmi

Idris Odutayo

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Ashley Charles

Jude Arthurs (Will Hondermarck 62')

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Corey Whitely (Brooklyn Ilunga 61')

Ben Krauhaus (Ben Thompson 90+2')

Mitchell Pinnock

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Nicke Kabamba

There were undoubtedly positives to draw from Bromley’s trip to Blundell Park. 

Grant Smith is priceless. How many saves has he made this season to deny what should have been goals? One save in this game prevented a goal that looked like a near certainty. I’m still not sure how he kept it out. He has to be among the best in the league, if not THE best.

At the other end of the pitch, Nicke Kabamba gave Grimsby's defence a tough old time, supplying physicality, cunning, and a great song. With Michael Cheek injured, Nicke stepped in and led the line with the energy of someone who has a point to prove.  

More broadly, Bromley seemed to create more chances than we've seen in recent games. Those chances were often reliant on set pieces, but that's how we roll. Here’s hoping they can continue this trend.

The mood in the away end seemed pretty positive at full-time. The Ravens had earned a point from a tricky-looking game and had given Grimsby's defence some very worrying moments near the end. 

It was a long trip north for this lunchtime kick-off, but a draw felt like a suitable reward.

When the whole ground unites in a chorus of “you don't know what you're doing,” it casts major doubts over the judgment and performance of the officials. 

Don’t get me wrong, Bromley love a tussle more than most, so the referees are bound to get involved in the game. Here, though, the officials were guilty of waving away a Grimsby handball that occurred just a few seconds before Jude Arthurs was similarly penalised, handing the hosts a penalty. 

Did one decision influence the other? 

Bromley have suffered a run of game-influencing decisions from officials. The tide will turn, but it's not doing much for anyone's blood pressure.

It is always good to see familiar faces doing well, so it was pleasing that former Bromley junior and loanee Maldini Kacurri started this game for Grimsby, having signed for them permanently during the winter transfer window. 

I will admit that I had some doubts over his agility when he played for Bromley on loan from Arsenal last season. Either those doubts were misguided, or Bromley failed to get the best out of him. Maldini had a solid game here and looked at home in the cut and thrust of League Two.

While his career progression is a welcome sight, the pushing and shoving he engaged in with Bromley’s staff at full-time was much less welcome. 

No matter who said what, it was unsightly. 

Grant Smith 8

Carl Jenkinson 7

Omar Sowumni 8

Jesse Debrah 8

Idris Odutayo 7

Jude Arthurs 6

Ashley Charles 6

Mitch Pinnock 7

Ben Krauhaus 6

Corey Whiteley 6

Nicke Kabamba 7

Subs:

Marcus Ifill for Carl Jenkinson 61' (6)

Brooklyn Ilunga for Corey Whitely 61' (6)

Will Hondermark for Jude Arthurs 62' (7)

Ben Thompson for Ben Krauhaus 90+2 (n/a)