Bromley moved up to third in League Two with two first half goals and a professional defensive display in the second period to seal an impressive win over Salford City at a very wet Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon.
Andy Woodman made one change to the starting line up with Ben Krauhaus coming in for Jude Arthurs in midfield, playing the same 4-5-1 formation as last week’s win over Barrow.
In torrential rain the game got off to an open start with early chances at either end, Bromley play maker Mitchell Pinnock having a shot saved by Matt Young, while Salford’s tricky winger Kelly Nmai had an effort parried away by Grant Smith at this near post.
Michael Cheek went close with a couple of headers from Marcus Ifill’s corners for the home side and Jorge Grant fired wide for The Ammies after more good work from Nmai on the left.
The key moment of the half came soon after when a scramble in the Bromley six yard box from a Salford corner saw Smith make a block on the line and then Josh Austerfield hit the post from close range, before The Ravens finally cleared the danger.
Almost immediately Bromley then took their chance at the other end when Ashley Charles crossed deep from the right and Omar Sowunmi met the ball with a diving header directing it in off the far post for 1-0 on 23 minutes.
Salford looked to respond when Nmai set up Kallum Cesay, but he shot over when well placed.
Just after the half hour Bromley doubled their lead when Pinnock found Will Hondermarck with a great cross and the Congo international midfielder met the ball on the volley to sweep it home from the edge of the area for 2-0.
Pinnock and Cheek then combined to play in Corey Whitely, but he fired just wide before the final chance of the half fell to the visitors with Daniel Udoh blazing over from 20 yards.
The second half got off to an open start, before the visitors went on to have lots of possession. Salford had a couple of wayward efforts from range, but Bromley kept them at bay, the midfield giving The Ammies no time at all.
The rain got even heavier as things went on with the ball holding up on the surface in energy sapping conditions, but Woodman made changes at the right time to give Bromley extra energy with Jude Arthurs and Brooklyn Ilunga coming on to add more legs to the midfield at vital moments.
As the half progressed Bromley did drop deeper, but Salford rarely threatened until the final few minutes when Kevin Berkoe drove over from range and Luke Garbutt hit a fierce effort from 25 yards that Smith did brilliantly to tip over for a corner.
The Ravens saw out the game from there and moved up to the highest league position in their history with fantastic team performance.
Full of confidence and on a great run of form Bromley now prepare for a trip to leaders Walsall next Saturday as they look to maintain their challenge at the top of the table.
Bromley: Smith, Odutayo, Sowunmi, Elerewe, Ifill, Charles, Hondermarck, Pinnock, Whitely (Arthurs 70) Krauhaus (Ilunga 80), Cheek (Kabamba 84).
Subs Not Used: Cameron, Long, Stepien-Iwumene, Umolu.
Salford: Young, Garbutt, Olowu, Turton (Siri 82), Nmai, Grant, Butrcher (Butt 86), Longelo (Berkoe 65), Cesay, Austerfield (Mnoga 64), Udoh.
Subs Not Used: Curren-Nicholls, Howard, Padovani.
Goals: Sowunmi 23, Hondermarck 32mins.
Att: 3,771
HT 2-0 FT 2-0
Referee: Matthew Russell