Bromley picked up a vital three points at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday afternoon, which maintained their place at the top of the League Two table and more importantly increased the gap to nine points from the team in fourth.

The Ravens started the game looking positive with Ashley Charles having a shot deflected wide from a short corner routine. Rovers then came into things, but it was the home side who made the key breakthrough on 18 minutes when Charles played in Will Hondermarck down the right-hand side of the box and he crashed home a superb finish from a tight angle to put Bromley in front.

Ellis Harrison had header saved for The Gas soon after as play flowed from end to end and Fabrizio Cavegn forced a good save from Grant Smith’s feet. Bromley created the best move of the game when Nicke Kabamba and Mitchell Pinnock combined to set up Corey Whitely, but the Bromley midfielder put his shot wide of the goal when well placed. Hondermarck had another shot deflected wide just before the break, but Rovers managed to clear the corner.

Rovers made three subs at half time and started the second half on top, but Shaq Forde received his first yellow card for a forearm smash on Omar Sowunmi when challenging for a long ball.

As Bromley made their way into things Kabamba put a chance wide from a narrow angle and Jessie Debrah had a shot cleared off the line after good work from Whitely. As the half went on Bromley sat deeper and deeper, inviting Bristol Rovers on to them. With Ravens defenders making a series of blocks to keep The Gas at bay.

 Joe Quigley volleyed a chance over for the visitors, before Andy Woodman made three changes in an attempt to lift the pressure of his players. One of the subs proved to be vital as Spurs Loanee Damola Ajayi drew a clumsy foul from Forde, and the Rovers player was sent off for a second yellow card with ten minutes to go, his second red card against Bromley this season.

Bromley saw the game out from there and celebrated what could prove to be a huge victory in their promotion challenge.

The Ravens now travel to relegation threatened Newport County on Tuesday night, looking to make another step closer to League One.                       

Bromley: Smith, Ifill, Sowunmi, Debrah, Odutayo, Charles, Hondermarck, Pinnock, Thompson (Dinanga 79), Whitely (Ajayi 79), Kabamba. Subs Not Used: Krauhaus, Meldey, Long, Ilunga.  

Bristol Rovers: Young, Mola, Lockyer, Balmer, De Havilland (Thompson-Sommers 58), Smallwood (Thomas 76), Senior, Rijks (Quigley 45), Harrison (Akahamrich 45), Cavegn (Forde 45). Subs not Used: Harbottle, Southwood.   

Goals: BFC – Hondermarck 18mins

HT 1-0 FT1-0

Att:

Referee: Mr Elliot Bell