Zack Marsh’s second-half equaliser saw Crystal Palace Under-21s fight back to hold Bromley to a 2-2 pre-season friendly draw at Copperjax Stadium.
Marsh’s 70th-minute equaliser rescued Palace a 2-2 draw after Michael Cheek’s first-half brace put Bromley ahead from behind, as he first finished Corey Whitely’s pass then converted a 26th-minute penalty after a handball.
Jemiah Umolu opened the scoring for Palace with his 11th-minute finish of Tayo Adaramola’s pass.
Bromley’s slow start to their friendlies this pre-season has become customary so many wouldn’t of been surprised to see Palace take a 11th-minute lead, after Adaramola won possession on the left and teed up Umolu to fire the Eagles in front.
Bromley however hit back barely six minutes later after Sam Long’s long ball was knocked down by a Palace player for Ben Krauhaus – on his first start at home since his return on loan from Brentford – to collect and play across for Whitely who teed up Cheek to slide in his low cross to restore parity.
Andy Woodman’s Ravens soon upped the intensity and Cheek unleashed a 25th-minute strike which was handballed by a Palace defender.
Cheek subsequently stepped up a minute later to smash his penalty into the top right corner to put Bromley ahead in front of the home crowd.
Palace’s Asher Agbinone almost pulled the visitors with a 31st-minute strike but Long made a crucial save before Palace’s trialist denied Pinnock two minutes later.
After half-time, Palace turned up the pressure as substitute, Dean Benamar saw a 62nd-minute shot saved by Long.
Palace’s improvement eventually was rewarded seven minutes later as substitute, Marsh pulled them level with a clinical finish from Malcolm Ebiowei’s through-ball pass.
Matteo Dashi’s 25-yard strike in the 82nd minute almost completed Palace’s comeback but Long was alert to make a crucial block, as the Ravens dug deep to cling on for a draw.
Like for their comeback home win over Chelsea Under-21s and goalless draw at Horsham last weekend, Bromley weren’t at full strength as half of the first team were sent to an away friendly at Tonbridge Angels – where Nicke Kabamba scored twice in a 3-0 win and Idris Odutayo netted their second goal.
Bromley conclude their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Millwall at home on Saturday 26 July at 3pm BST.
Teams
Bromley: Sam Long, Carl Jenkinson (German 72′), Deji Elerewe, Kyle Cameron, Ashley Charles, Will Hondermarck, Corey Whitely, Ben Krauhaus (Trialist C 75′), Tade Ibrahim (Trialist D 83′), Michael Cheek (Trialist B 45′), Mitch Pinnock
Substitutes: Trialist A, Trialist B, Trialist C, Sam German, Trialist D
Crystal Palace: Trialist, Rio Cardines (Whyte 66′), Eyimofe Jemide (Walker Smith 66′), Rob Holding (Grante 66′), Luke Browne (King 66′), Dylan Reid (Gibbard 66′), Tayo Adaramola (Benamar 45′), Sebastian Williams (Adams-Collman 66′), Jemiah Umolu (Marsh 66′), Asher Agbinone (Dashi 66′), Adler Nascimento (Ebiowei 66′)
Substitutes: Jake Grante, Jackson Izquierdo, Joe Gibbard, George King, Charlie Walker-Smith, Matteo Dashi, Zack Henry, Rylan Brownlie, Zach Marsh, Ty Whyte, Kai-Reece Adams-Collman, Malcolm Ebiowei, Dean Benamar