BROMLEY 1, ALDERSHOT TN 3

ALDERSHOT Town gave a hint of what might have been as manager Barry Smith bade a victorious farewell to the club at Bromley’s Hayes Lane ground.

Displaying all the intensity, energy and creativity so conspicuously absent in recent weeks, Smith’s inconsistent side concluded a frustrating season with the sort of performance he had hoped would become far more regular at the EBB Stadium.

“It’s great to go out on a win and that’s credit to the boys, who put in a shift,” said a relaxed Smith. “I want to win every game, whether it’s the first or last, but we haven’t seen that type of pace and quality in the last three games.

“We’ve had disappointing performances and results at home, but if you’re going to judge me, judge me over the (entire) season,” he stressed, after highlighting a rise in final league position, points won, total number of wins, goals scored and away form from 2014-15. “We’ve had a 20 per cent reduction in the budget, but we’ve made progress.”

Both sides showed admirable endeavour in the early stages, but Aldershot always carried the greater attacking threat and Charlie Walker gave the visitors an 11th-minute lead.

Dan Walker was released down the right and as he aimed a low cross towards the near post, the striker muscled ahead of his marker to stab the ball in from six yards.

Just five minutes later, Rhys Browne under-hit a clearing pass and Bromley midfielder Ali Fuseini casually placed a swerving 25-yard shot into the top corner with Dan Thomas a mere spectator. All square at 1-1.

Ravens goalkeeper Alan Julian made fumbling saves from both Cheye Alexander and Jim Stevenson as the Shots exerted their superiority, but they had to settle for parity at the break.

It finally took an own goal to restore Aldershot’s lead on 63 minutes. Giorgio Rasulo pounced on another weak clearance out of defence to set Dan Walker breaking into the box on a perfectly-timed overlapping run. Sean Francis couldn’t evade the ball as it was driven into the goalmouth and it deflected into the net.

With Bromley running out of steam, Charlie Walker almost scored with a glancing header before sealing the win with his second goal on 75 minutes.

Stevenson won a strong aerial challenge in midfield and the home defence allowed Walker to stroll into the penalty area and finish with ease, placing his 12-yard shot into the far corner.

Victory could have been even more emphatic. Referee Adam Hopkins turned down strong penalty appeals for handball and then what looked a blatant pull of Jack Saville’s shirt. But Aldershot fans dared to dance a joyous conga long before the final whistle, confident that Bromley were a spent force.

Smith was able to consider his legacy from an erratic 12 months which failed to live up to its stated aim of mounting a play-off challenge in the National League, but nonetheless unearthed several key players and led the Shots further along the lengthy road towards stability.

“Whoever comes in will be given a platform to build on,” was his parting shot, “and that’s through the hard work of myself and Chris Barker.”

Bromley: Julian; Holland, Swaine (Rodgers 77), Francis, Anderson; Chorley, Fuseini, Higgs; Coombes, Goldberg, Gordon (Joseph-Dubois 65). Subs (not used): Stanic-Stewart, O’Connor.

Aldershot: Thomas; Alexander, Beckles, Saville, Ralph; Rasulo, Stevenson, Gallagher (Hatton 85), Browne; C Walker, D Walker. Subs (not used): Smith, Richards, Oliver, McGrory. Booked: Saville, Gallagher.

Referee: Adam Hopkins.

Attendance: 1,445 (261 away).