Bromley picked up their first win of the League Two season on Saturday afternoon with a two-nil victory over newly promoted Barnet at Hayes Lane, courtesy of goals from strikers Michael Cheek and Nicke Kabamba.
The Ravens went into the game lining up 5-4-1, manager Andy Woodman making two changes from last week’s 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury Town, with Wil Hondermarck and Omar Sowunmi coming in for Marcis Dinanga & Deji Elerewe.
Barnet got off to a positive start, but it was Bromley who created the first chance with Sowunmi having a goal bound header cleared from a corner.
The Bees then went close when Idris Kanu cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful shot that Grant Smith brilliantly tipped over the bar. Barnet tried to play out from the back, with Bromley happily sitting back and waiting for a mistake and looking to exploit a nervous looking Cieran Slicker in goal.
Nine minutes from half time, The Ravens got the vital breakthrough after Marcus Ifill had been fouled just outside the box, Ben Thompson delivered a dangerous low free kick, which found an unmarked Cheek twelve yards from goal and the League Two player of last season swept the ball home for 1-0 opening his account for the new campaign.
The second half saw Barnet looking to be more positive, but Bromley always posed a threat on the break. Corey Whitely being denied by a superb tackle from Nik Tavares after Cheek had played him in.
There were some wayward efforts at either end before the game was delayed due to an injury to Mr Swabey, who was replaced by his Assistant. Once things got going again Mitchel Pinnock made a great tackle to thwart Ryan Glover as Barnet began to press for an equaliser.
Thompson could have put the match beyond doubt on the break, but he fired wide when one on one with Slicker to keep Bees’ hopes alive. Kyle Cameron made a great block on the line to stop Joe Hugill’s header and Sowinmi repeated the feat when Anthony Hartigan headed another corner towards goal.
Hugill put two more efforts wide when well placed and Glover blazed over as Dean Brennan’s side kept pushing for a leveller. Ollie Hawkins then headed against the bar as play was halted for a head injury to Cameron who had to go off with a nasty looking cut.
Late into injury time Bromley grabbed a second goal when they broke quickly upfield and Hondermarck played in Kabamba who coolly slotted the ball past Slicker to score against his old side and secure the three points for the team he signed for in January.
Nnamdi Ofoborh blasted the ball over as Barnet looked to get something out of the game, but Woodman’s side held out and are still yet to concede this season.
Bromley now prepare for the visit of Championship side Ipswich Town to Hayes Lane in the League Cup on Tuesday night, before they entertain Fleetwood Town at home in the league next Saturday.
Bromley: Smith, Ifill (Odutayo 45), Pinnock, Sowunmi, Webster, Cameron (Elerewe 93), Charles, Whitely (Arthurs 84), Thompson (Dinanga 72), Hondermarck, Cheek (Kabamba 84). Subs Not Used: Krauhaus, Long.
Barnet: Slicker, Critchlow (Senior 67), Tavares (Hawkins 84), Collinge, Smith, Kanu(Galvin 72), Glover, Hartigan, Ofoborh, Adeniran (Brunt 67), Hugill. Subs Not Used: Osadebe, Shelton, Wright.
Goals: Cheek 36, Kabamba 95 mins.
HT 1-0 FT 2-0
Referee: Lee Swabey
Att: 2130