Bromley's FA Cup run is over after a 2-0 first-round defeat to Rotherham United at Hayes Lane on Saturday. The loss marks a first setback for new manager Karl Robinson and extends the club's difficult start to the season, where they sit 24th in League One with just nine points from 13 games, having managed only two wins and three draws.
Rotherham broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. A cross from Josh Austerfield was met by defender Sonny Aljofree, who headed past Bromley goalkeeper George. The visitors doubled their advantage 11 minutes after the restart. Aaron Nemane provided the assist for striker Tom Bradshaw to finish, securing Rotherham's first win in ten matches across all competitions.
Bromley struggled to create clear chances despite having 11 shots. Their best opportunity fell to George Saville, whose effort was saved. The home side made a quadruple substitution just before the hour mark, introducing Chanse Headman, Ethon Archer, Mitchell Pinnock and Freddie Cowin in search of a response, but Rotherham's defence held firm. Jacob Mendy received Bromley's only booking for a foul in the 30th minute.
The result continues a tough spell for Bromley, who have now lost three consecutive matches and are without a win in their last five, a run of four defeats and a draw. Their recent fixtures have been challenging, including heavy league defeats to Leicester City and Milton Keynes Dons. The 4-1 loss at Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday 27 October and the 3-2 defeat at Wigan on Saturday 31 October, where Kamari Antonio Grant and George Saville scored, are part of this poor sequence that also includes a 1-0 loss at Stockport County on Saturday 17 October and a 1-1 home draw with Peterborough on Saturday 24 October.
Attention now turns to securing their League One status, with a key home game against 17th-placed Notts County coming up next Saturday 14 November. Before that, Robinson's side host Milton Keynes Dons in an EFL Trophy group stage match on Tuesday night.
With 13 goals scored and 33 conceded in the league, leaving them with a minus 20 goal difference and a daunting 20-point gap to the leaders, shoring up the defence will be a priority. The team's next chance to get back to winning ways is at Hayes Lane against Notts County on Saturday 14 November.
Manager Karl Robinson confirmed new injury concerns after the FA Cup exit. Both Jacob Mendy and Richard Taylor were forced off early in the second half against Rotherham. Robinson said, "We've got three of our centre backs injured." He also stated Tuesday's EFL Trophy match against MK Dons, with Bromley already eliminated, will be used for fitness and to assess the squad. The club's home League One fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to international call-ups. Bromley, 24th in League One with nine points, next play away at Reading.
