Bromley moved into the League Two automatic promotion spots with a professional 2-0 win over Grimsby Town at Hayes Lane on Saturday lunchtime thanks to a goal in either half from Will Hondermarck.
Andy Woodman made one change to the starting line up with Kyle Cameron coming in for the injured Omar Sowunmi at centre back, lining up 4-5-1.
After a cagey start Grimsby’s Jaze Kabia had a header saved by Grant Smith, but it was The Ravens who took the lead on 11 minutes when a recycled set piece came out to Mitchell Pinnock who sent a great ball to the far post, which Cameron knocked across the goal for Hondermarck to volley home from close range.
Grimsby rallied from there, but Bromley’s defence were resolute, Deji Elerewe winning countless headers and Cameron making a superb saving tackle to deny Kabia when he was through on goal and another soon after on the edge of the area when he was well placed again.
Bromley were quicker to the ball and stronger in the challenge throughout the half and came close to doubling their lead late on when Pinnock had a shot blocked and Ben Krauhaus forced a good save from Jackson Smith in The Mariners goal from the rebound.
The second half started with Hondermarck setting up Corey Whitely, but the midfielder fired narrowly wide from just inside the box.
The Ravens did double their lead on 54 minutes when Marcus Ifill broke down the right and crossed for Hondermarck who times his run perfectly to turn the ball home for 2-0.
After a brief spell of pressure from Grimsby, Bromley thought they had scored a third when a poor Mariners free kick set up Whitely on the edge of the area and his effort saw Smith scramble back towards the goal, the ball looking to have crossed the line before the Grimsby custodian stopped it, only for the officials to wave play on. Woodman receiving a yellow card for his protests after viewing a replay.
Kabia headed another half chance over for the visitors, but in truth they barely laid a glove on Bromley, struggling to create any real opportunities.
Late on, Brooklyn Ilunga set up Hondermarck who fired over and the midfielder nearly grabbed a hatrick when he broke from midfield, but his shot was saved by Smith with Nike Kabamba well placed for a pass to his right.
The final chance fell to Kabamba who had a header saved by Smith after more good work by Ilunga down the left, but the two goals were comfortably enough to secure the win.
Bromley now travel to Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day and Crawley Town on 29th looking to maintain their place in the top three.
Bromley: Smith, Ifill, Elerewe, Cameron, Odutayo, Pinnock (Ilunga 76), Hondermarck (Arthurs 85), Charles, Krauhaus, Whitely (Thompson 80), Cheek (Kabamba 76).
Subs Not Used: Long, Samuel, Webster.
Grimsby: Smith, McJannet, Tharme, Lavelle (Rose 62), Rodgers, McEachran, Vernam (Oduor 80), Walker (Khouri 81), Green, Amaluzor (Burns 80), Kabia (Soonsup-Bell 75).
Subs Not Used: Casper, Warren.
Goals: Hondermarck 11 & 54mins.
HT 1-0 FT 2-0
Att: 4,457
Referee: James Durkin