A stylish performance saw Bromley not only overcome Barrow but the near arctic elements as they returned from Cumbria with three crucial points that places them on the cusp of the playoff positions.

Ahead of the match Bromley were able to welcome back Roger Johnson to the starting line up alongside Dan Johnson in central defence. This led to a tactical change as Jack Holland once again deputised upfront alongside Louis Dennis. Jordan Higgs also returned to the starting XI in an unfamiliar right back position in place of the absent Alan Dunne.

The opening quarter of the first half saw both sides fail to adapt to the blustery conditions as a strong cross wind played havoc with any attempt at free flowing football.

It was Barrow who created the first genuine opportunity of the match when Byron Harrison created space in the Bromley penalty area but in trying to create the perfect shooting opportunity failed to force a strike on goal.

Barrow were to pay for that missed opening as Bromley took the lead with a set piece routine four minutes later. A training ground routine between Dennis and Wanadio allowed the latter to lay off for Frankie Raymond who found the net with a low strike from 22 yards out.

Buoyed by the go ahead goal Bromley proceeded to dominate the remainder of the first half the only blot on their copybook being their failure to add to the lead.

Just after the half hour Adam Mekki missed two golden opportunities to extend the Bromley lead. First his finely struck effort at the back post was cleared off the line after a pinpoint Wanadio cross before another Wanadio cross was flicked on by Dennis only for Mekki to blast over the crossbar when again unmarked.

A fine double save from Barrow custodian Stuart Moore a minute before half time ensured there was only one goal in the game going into the half time interval.

Moore produced a fantastic reaction stop after Dan Johnson headed Raymond’s corner goalward then excelled himself by saving Holland’s follow up as a goal looked certain.

There was always likely to be a reaction from the home side at the start of the second half and so it proved as Adi Yussuff fired an early warning shot when his goalbound effort was blocked by Holland following a Chris Clements free kick.

With Bromley having to withstand heavy Barrow pressure the turning point in the game came in the 57^th minute. Harry Panayiotou’s pass freed Harrison in the penalty area, on this occasion the frontman got his shot off only for his effort to beat Gregory but not the post.

From Bromley’s first attack of the half, a minute later, they rubbed salt in Barrow wounds as they doubled their lead. Neat interchange between Holland and Josh Rees led to the former finding Wanadio free in the penalty area and the tricky winger made no mistake with a fierce drive past Moore at the keeper’s near post.

With Bromley now in the ascendancy Rees had a chance to further extend the lead when his effort from a Wanadio cross was well saved by Moore.

Barrow to their credit kept on battling and Harrison nearly reduced the arrears in the 65^th minute when his scuffed effort was cleared off the line by Roger Johnson.

However substitute Dominic Vose sealed the game for the Ravens nine minutes from time. His free kick from the left touchline avoided all players and nestled in the far corner of the net with Moore well and truly beaten.

A further opportunity for Rees could have seen Bromley add gloss to the scoreline but after being played through by Vose he placed his shot over the bar with only Moore to beat.

The win sees Bromley now unbeaten in four league games ahead of Tuesday night’s rearranged and highly anticipated showdown between them and fellow promotion chasers Aldershot Town.

 

Barrow: Moore, Bignot, Diagne, Dunne, Barthram, Panayiotou, Gomis, Clements, Bauress (Holt 74), Yussuf, Harrison © (White 71)

Subs not used: Dixon, Fitzpatrick, Makoma

 

Bromley:  Gregory, Higgs, R.Johnson, D.Johnson, Sterling, Wanadio (Vose 76), Raymond (Sutherland 55), Rees, Mekki, Dennis (Porter), Holland ©

Subs not used: Allen, Wynter

Goals: Raymond 24, Wanadio 57, Vose 81

 

Referee: Mr G Hart

Attendance: 941 (29 Bromley)