Rochdale 3 - 4 Bromley

Date published: 04 November 2024

Dale were knocked out of the FA Cup by Bromley in a seven goal game at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday 2 November.

Dale fought back from two goals down to take the lead going into the final nine minutes with goals from Sam Beckwith, Kyron Gordon and Ian Henderson but Bromley snatched the win with two late goals to send them through to the next round.

Jimmy McNulty brought in Matthew Dennis for his first Dale appearance in place of Aidan Barlow as the only change from last weekend’s game at Barnet.

The visitors flew out of the blocks and opened the scoring within the first minute when Michael Cheek won the ball up high and played in Corey Whitely who dispatched into the far corner for an early lead.

Bromley doubled their advantage with their next attack when the Ravens played it down the left and the ball was squared for Michael Cheek to sweep home a left-footed strike.

Dale responded with a chance of their own within eight minutes when Jili Buyabu used Matthew Dennis who picked out Connor McBride, his effort drifting just over.

Bromley’s corner almost provided a third when Louis Dennis attempted a backheel in front of goal which was blocked by Sam Beckwith and cleared.

Both Jake Burger and Kairo Mitchell forced Grant Smith into saves. Burger’s curling strike towards the far corner was well repelled before Mitchell’s long-range sighter was parried wide after Dennis closed down to win the ball back.

Burger’s dangerous corner found Mitchell which he reacted well to but the ball trickled agonisingly wide.

24 minutes in, Dale got one back and it was coming. Ryan East laid it off for Sam Beckwith who caught his strike sweetly, the ball flying into the top corner from 25 yards out.

The away side finished the half well as Louis Dennis forced Dale keeper David Robson into a fine save, getting a strong hand onto the forward’s powerful shot.

Robson was called into action again early in the second half when Daniel Imray struck from an angle, the save finding Ben Thompson from range, the goalkeeper up smartly again to save.

Kairo Mitchell struck the crossbar moments later after a cross from Tarryn Allarakhia, the linesman’s flag was up on this near side regardless.

Dale’s bright spell paid dividends when Connor McBride and Gordon linked up down the right, the initial ball deflected back to the full-back who smashed one at goal to draw us level.

The chances kept coming for McNulty’s men when Ryan East danced his way through the Bromley defence, only to be denied well by the goalkeeper.

Both sides then had opportunities to take the lead. Substitute Henderson curled one towards the target which was tipped over and Liam Hogan did brilliantly to clear a certain goal when Michael Cheek headed it down.

It would be Dale to get that elusive third goal as Henderson was on hand to smash home his 150th goal for the club. Bright play from Allarakhia and McBride led to the latter squaring for Hendo to turn the game around.

Bromley threw everything at Dale and grabbed two late goals to turn the game back on its head. Imray crossed for Levi Amantchi to plant his header home on 89 minutes before a well placed strike in added time from Whitely for his second sent them through.

Imray was sent off in the aftermath of the goal for a second yellow with Dale unable to hit back.