Bromley suffered their first defeat of 2019 thanks to a single goal two minutes from time in a tight hard fought encounter against Eastleigh at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon.
Eastleigh started the game on the front foot, with an early chance scrambled away before David Gregory made a great save from Mark Yeates’ well struck dipping effort. Bromley settled as the half went on and had a shout for a penalty when Luke Coulson was pushed to the ground in the box, but the appeals were waved away.
Adam Mekki put in a cross shot that landed on the roof of the net, but real chances were few and far between for either side. Just before the break Mekki, who had been involved in most of the positive action for The Ravens, suffered what looked a serious ankle injury and had to be carried off, potentially a huge loss for Bromley squad.
The second half saw Bromley start well, Frankie Raymond had a shot saved after a quick short corner routine and Omar Bugeil fired straight at Luke Southwood after breaking free in the box.
Over the piece though the Eastleigh defence proved to be just too tough for The Ravens to break down, their organisation and strength keeping JJ Hooper quiet up top. Late on The Spitfires started to push Bromley back and as Neil Smith’s side sat deeper and deeper the visitors began to create chances. Ben Williams fired over and Yeates had a shot blocked by Richard Brindley before they made their pressure count with only two minutes left.
Yeates crossed from the right and as the ball bounced across the six yard box Andrew Boyce pounced to head the ball home from close range at the far post past static home back line. It was too late for Bromley to mount any response and Eastleigh saw out stoppage time to record the second 1-0 win over Bromley this season.
The Ravens slipped one place to twelfth in the National League following this loss and now have a week off before travelling to Barrow on 9th February.
Bromley: Gregory, Brindley (Johnson 90), Goodman, Holland, Wood, Mekki (Bugeil 44), Sutherland, Raymond, Coulson, Porter, Hooper. Subs Not Used: Higgs, Da Silva, Dunne.
Eastleigh: Southwood, Harne, Green, Johnson, Yeates (Miley 90), Zebroski (Gobern 70), Boyce, Wynter, Williamson, Hollands, Jones. Subs Not Used: McKnight, Bearwish, Scorey.
Goal: Boyce 88mins.
Ref: Mr J Smith
HT 0-0 FT 0-1
Att: 1,381