Fiorini's death stuns Bromley

10:24am Wednesday 14th February 2001

THE sudden death of Bromley Football Club's popular match secretary John Fiorini overshadowed a fine Ryman Division One team performance on Saturday.

John collapsed while watching the team's match at Aylesbury and, sadly, died shortly after reaching hospital.

He had been connected with the club for mroe than 30 years. First as a player and then joining the committee.

John also put many hours into the general maintenance of the Hayes Lane ground and pitch, as well as being instrumental in helping to produce Bromley's Centenary book in 1992.

A club spokesman said: “John could always be relied on to step into the breach when an occasion arose.

“He will be very hard to replace and sorely missed by all who ever knew him.”

On the pitch, Bromley completed their first double of the season with a 4-1 victory.

Bromley went ahead after 13 minutes when Marc Chrome's inswinging corner was headed on by Justin Bowen but the ball was adjudged to have crossed the goal-line before being hacked away.

But Aylesbury rallied and they equalised 10 minutes later when Lovell's long clearance eluded Mark Garland and Roni Joe raced on to dribble around keeper Danny Harwood for a simple tap-in.

Harwood then fumbled a corner but redeemed himself by blocking Kieran Gallagher's drive.

But Bromley restored their lead on the stroke of half-time when a long run by the impressive Tom Beech ended with Mark Tompkins gliding his cross under Dave Lovell for his first goal since Boxing Day

Five minutes after the interval Bromley increased their lead this time Tompkins was the provider when he cleverly held off two defenders near the bye-line before his delicate, teasing cross was turned in by Beech for his second goal in three games since joining from Crawley Town.

Aylesbury were then reduced to ten men after 65 minutes when Joe was red-carded for aiming a punch at Dean Forbes.

Both sides then struck the woodwork in the last five minutes before Bromley added a fourth goal in the closing seconds.

Danny Robers, recently signed from Leatherhead, was denied by Lovell's first-class save but, from the resulting corner-kick, substitute Charlie Side shot the ball home through a crowded goalmouth.

But Vladmamir Lazic's fifth booking of the season for a late 68th minute tackle, means he now has an automatic one-match ban and misses Saturday week's home game against Romford.

Jamie Kyte, who has not played since Boxing Day, has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent, while Michael Harney's three-month loan deal has ended and he has returned to Welling.

Bromley, who were hoping to play their rescheduled Full Members' Cup tie with Oxford City last night as the News Shopper went to press, entertain Yeading in the league on Saturday. Kick-off 3pm.