BROMLEY, England (Interstat) — In a League Two season opener that defied pregame projections, Bromley and Cambridge United played to a scoreless draw Thursday afternoon at Copperjax Community Stadium.

The match, the first for both clubs in the English Football League’s fourth tier, was a cagey, physical affair that saw few clear-cut chances but three late yellow cards. The result left each team with a single point from their initial outing.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 final score, while its ELO rating system gave the home side, Bromley, a 65.3 percent probability of securing a victory. Neither forecast came to pass as both defenses held firm in a contest that seemed destined for a stalemate from the early stages.

The game’s most significant statistical contributions came from an unlikely source: the substitutes’ bench. Bromley defender Omar Sowunmi was credited with a key defensive action, but it was the introductions of Korey Smith and Dominic Ball that provided the most notable sparks for their respective sides. Each substitute was credited with an assist on a chance that ultimately did not materialize into a goal, highlighting a afternoon of frustrated build-up play.

The physical tension of the match boiled over in second-half stoppage time. Bromley’s Dominic Ball was shown the first yellow card of the contest in the 47th minute. The cautions then came in quick succession as the clock wound down, with Cambridge United’s Korey Smith booked in the 91st minute and Bromley’s Omar Sowunmi receiving a yellow in the 93rd minute.

The draw marks a solid, if unspectacular, start for both teams as they embark on their League Two campaigns. For Bromley, playing in front of their home supporters at Copperjax Community Stadium, the point represents a foundation to build upon after being favored to win. For Cambridge United, securing an away draw against a side with a strong home projection will be viewed as a positive result.

With the result, both clubs see their records in all competitions for the young season move to 0 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. The focus for each squad now shifts to securing a first victory of the season when League Two play continues next week.