A brace from Louis Dennis and Josh Rees ensured Bromley made it to the last 16 of the FA Trophy for only the second time in 43 years.
What had looked to be a potential banana skin against famous cup giant killers Blyth Spartans proved to be a comfortable win as a professional performance from Bromley saw them ease into the third round.
Neil Smith had shuffled his pack ahead of the game, with Ben Chorley coming in for Roger Johnson and Omar Bugiel starting his first game in place of Adam Mekki. This meant Louis Dennis was moved to the left wing as George Porter partnered Bugiel upfront.
It was the home side, however, who started the game the better as Bromley took time to adapt to both the pace of the game and the pitch. Twice in the opening four minutes David Gregory was called into action as he had to tip away a curling Jordan Laidler effort before he had to be alert to deflect an errant Jack Holland header over the bar.
It was somewhat against the run of play when Bromley took the lead with their first meaningful attack of the game. George Porter was played into space in the left corner of the penalty area and his cross was turned home at the second attempt by Josh Rees. In truth the goal was a soft one for the Spartans to concede as not only did Rees scuffed effort go through the legs of Shaun Macdonald but the defence had several opportunities to clear the danger before the goal.
That was to be the best of Porter’s contribution as shortly afterwards he was forced off with an injury and replaced by Mekki, this meant Dennis was moved upfront alongside Bugiel.
Although Blyth moved the ball well and constantly probed the Bromley backline looking for a way back into the game chances remained at a premium. Bromley were to make Blyth pay for not turning their possession into clear cut chances when they seized on loose play to double their lead six minutes before half time.
Josh Rees took advantage of a loose pass in the middle of the park feeding Dennis who in turn slotted in an on-rushing Mekki, although Macdonald was able to save Mekki’s toe-poke he was only able to deflect the ball as far as Dennis who passed the ball into an empty net to the delight of the Bromley contingent.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Blyth trying to force the tempo and Bromley looking to pick the home side off on the counter attack.
Luke Woolfenden was the first to go close when his volley from 25 yards whistled narrowly over the crossbar.
It took Blyth until the 62nd minute to force a meaningful attempt at goal when Michael Liddle advanced from full back but his fizzed effort across the goal reaped no rewards.
Bromley substitute Brett Williams served warning off what was to come when his long range effort crashed against the Blyth crossbar before Rees scored Bromley’s third in the 70th minute.
Rees and Dennis exchanged one-twos which allowed the former to comfortably shoot past Macdonald and stretch the lead.
Blyth did not let their heads drop however and pulled a goal back 11 minutes from time. Dale Hopson took advantage of some slack Bromley marking before releasing Greg Rutherford who made no mistake with a driven effort beyond Gregory.
Sensing some vulnerability Blyth once again upped the ante over the remaining ten minutes forcing a series of set pieces as they lay siege to the Bromley goal. Nathan Buddle forced Gregory into a save with a stinging drive from 30 yards but Louis Dennis was to seal the game in injury time and add gloss to the scoreline with the goal of the game.
A forceful run from Mekki created space for Dennis who picked up the wingers lay off before curling a stunning effort into the top corner. The goal marked Dennis’ 14th goal of a productive season that will continue to have the football league scouts casting overtures towards him.
Bomley now eagerly await Monday’s 3rd round draw as dreams of Wembley become, ever so slightly, more of a reality.
Blyth Spartans: MacDonald, Atkinson, Liddle, Mullen (c), Buddle, Hutchinson, Rivers, McTiernan (Wrightson, 58), Rutherford, Hopson, Laidler.
Subs not used: Butler, McGlade, I. Watson, Jameson
Bromley: Gregory, Rees, Chorley, Holland (c), Raymond (Higgs, 75), Dennis, Sterling, Wanadio, Porter (Mekki, 31), Woolfenden, Bugiel (Williams, 59)
Subs not used: D. Johnson, R. Johnson.
Referee: Mr G Hart
Attendance: 647 (40 Bromley)