This remains a new world for Bromley. Recent entrants to the Football League, this home meeting with Ipswich was just their second Carabao Cup contest – now they have their first victory, delivered on penalties against a side who were in the top tier just three months ago.
After Ben Johnson cancelled out Deji Elerewe’s first-half opener for Bromley, the night went to sudden death and belonged to Sam Long. He saved Ipswich’s first penalty, low to his right off George Hirst, and was required for another, denying Ali Al-Hamadi. Marcus Ifill provided the final blow, a memorable moment for a club not short of them in recent years.
This meeting brought together two managers who are 15 years and two divisions apart but with similar stories to tell. Kieran McKenna and Andy Woodman joined their respective clubs in 2021, leaving behind the luxury of the Premier League; McKenna departed Manchester United’s staff, Woodman was head of goalkeeping at Arsenal.
Both have packed plenty of history into the past four years, McKenna most notably with back-to-back promotions; Woodman with his side’s ascension into the Football League last year, a first for a club founded in 1892. The 3G pitch at Hayes Lane was subsequently ripped out and replaced by grass to fulfil Football League requirements, symbolic for a club wanting more. Bromley finished last season four points off the League Two playoffs and reached the third round of the FA Cup for the first time, even taking the lead at St James’ Park before Newcastle – where Woodman was once coach, too – won 3-1. Ipswich, days on from an intense Championship opener with Birmingham, were entering a tie laced with potential embarrassment.
