Bromley took their unbeaten start to the National League season to ten games with a hard fought victory over a rugged Chesterfield side in front of over 2,000 fans at Hayes Lane on Saturday.
The game go off to a scrappy start with Chesterfield having the better of things, getting the ball forward early, Laurence Maguire hitting the angle of post and bar with a cross from the left.
Bromley’s first chance came from a corner when Marc-Anthony Okoye headed into the side netting at the far post. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild had a powerful effort deflected over and The Ravens piled the pressure on from a series or corner as they started to dominate.
The pressure paid off on 26minutes when Luke Couslon crossed from the left for Michael Cheek get in between two defenders and touch the ball past Luke Coddington from six yards to make it 1-0.
Cheek could have made it two soon after, but he was denied by Coddington who saved bravely at his feet.
Late on Frankie Raymond had a shot from the edge of the box saved by Coddington and Hackett put the rebound over.
The second half saw Chesterfield come out looking fired up, Scott Boden headed a Liam Manderville cross over and Mike Fondop headed wide across goal as the visitors pressed.
Charlton loanee Alfie Doughty came on to liven things up for Bromley, setting up Hackett who saw hot shot saved.
The Spireites eventually pulled level on 72 minutes when Bromley failed to clear their lines and Manderville beat Mark Cousins with a superb volley from 20yards out giving him no chance.
Parity only last a minute though, when Bromley went back in front on the next attack, with Cheek heading home bravely, just beating Will Evans to the ball to guide in into the net from ten yards out.
The Ravens striker had to go off injured after lengthy treatment following his second goal and was replaced by Jack Holland who played as an emergency target man.
Doughty put as chance wide after good work from Hackett, but then Chesterfield rallied again from there and had a long spell of dominance with Curtis Weston shooting over from a Fondop knock down.
The final few minutes saw a series of long balls into the box from John Sheridan’s side, but Okoye and Chris Bush were equal to the task. Captain Okoye put in a commanding display in the middle of defence to help secure another victory for Neil Smith’s side.
The win kept Bromley in third ahead of their trip to Eastleigh next Saturday, while Chesterfield slipped to bottom of the table sparking angry scenes between their fans and players at the end.
Bromley: Cousins, Kizzi, Wood, Okoye, Bush, Coulson, Raymond, Bingham, Rees (Doughty61), Hackett (Klass 68), Cheek (Holland 73). Subs Not Used: Mekki, Henry
Chesterfield: Coddington, Yarney, Evans, Maguire, Weston, Gerrard, McGlashan (Rowley 57), Boden (McKay 57), Smith, Fondop. Subs Not Used: Jalal, Hollis
Goals: Bromley – Cheek 26 & 73mins. Chesterfield – Manderville 72mins
Att: 2,110
Ref: Mr G Rhodes