Bromley put on a textbook away from home performance to take all three points away Colchester United on Saturday lunchtime and in the process move back onto the edge of the League Two play off places, courtesy of second half goals from Omar Sowunmi & Michael Cheek.
Going into the game with Corey Whitely returning the starting line up in a 4-5-1 formation, Andy Woodman set the side up to be solid in defence and make the most of Mitchell Pinnock’s distribution in a more forward role on the left and so it worked out.
The game got off to a physical start with both sides looking to impose themselves on the game, but it took a while to get going. The First chance came to Colchester after 15 minutes, Iandolo and Lisbie combining down the left to set up Tovide who had his header well saved by Grant Smith and Omar Sowunmi was on hand to clear the danger.
After a good spell from the home side, Bromley battled back with Ashley Charles finding Will Hondermarck with a great ball and the Congo International volleyed narrowly wide. Idris Odutayo then had a long range effort saved by Macey, before United missed the best chance of the half when Bishop crossed for Lisbie who blazed over from close range with the goal at his mercy.
In first half injury time Michael Cheek dispossessed Tucker, but his shot from the edge of the area was saved by Macey and they went into the break at 0-0.
The second half saw Bromley start by trying to be more positive, Sowunmi heading over from a Pinnock long throw, but Colchester then battled back with Bishop having a shot deflected wide, but the visitors then took control.
Cheek had a shot saved from a Sowunmi flick on before, they took the lead on 74minutes when Pinnock’s free kick from the left found Sowunmi who powered a header into the bottom corner of the net for 1-0 from six yards out.
Three minutes later it was 2-0, when sub Ben Krauhaus broke into the box and as he was brought down for what looked a penalty, the ball ran to Cheek who placed the ball into the right hand corner of the goal, credit to Referee Andrew Humphries for allowing the advantage to play out and the game looked all but done.
Colchester carried on pressing until the end though and it was for only for the efforts of Sowunmi and Smith in denying Goodwin and then Smith again with a superb save to thwart Read from range than kept the clean sheet for The Ravens and secured the three points.
This was a tactical second half master class from the Bromley coaching team, only having 30% possession, but making the most of it when they did have the ball.
Bromley now prepare for the visit of AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night in a winner takes all EFL trophy tie, before taking on Barrow at Hayes Lane next Saturday in League Two.
Colchester: Macey, Iandolo (Goodwin 82), Araujo, Vincent-Young, Bishop, Read, Anderson, Mbick, Lisbie (Edwards 74), Tovide (Williams 69).
Subs Not Used: Flanagan, Hunt, Powell, Smith.
Bromley: Smith, Ifill, Sowunmi, Elerewe, Odutayo, Charles, Whitely, Hondermarck, Arthurs (Krauhaus 69), Pinnock, Cheek (Kabamba 85).
Subs Not Used: Cameron, Ilunga, Long, Stepien-Iwumene, Umolu.
Goals: Sowunmi 74mins, Cheek 77mins
HT 0-0 FT 0-2
Att: 5,169
Referee: Mr A Humphries