Ten man Bromley fell to another home defeat on Tuesday night as they just failed to keep Hemel out after having Goalkeeper Seb Brown sent off just before half time and without a replacement custodian on the bench winger Mitchell Pinnock took the gloves in a courageous display.

Bromley started the game well and pressed the newly promoted visitors back, but on the break Hemel created the best early chance when Zane Banton shot wide when well placed.

As the away side settled Banton went close again and Oliver Hawkins was also just off target. Bromley also created chances with Ali Fuseini denied by a fine tackle from Jordan Parkes and Moses Ademola heading against the bar after a scramble in the six yard box.

Jordan Robertson had an effort saved by Laurie Walker while Damien Scannell shot narrowly wide with Ademola just failing to get a touch on it. Parkes forced a save from Brown at the other end, but The Ravens continued to press with Ademola twice just off target.

Then came the major turning point of the game in first half injury time when Brown handled outside the area when charging out to clear the ball. The inevitable red card followed and young winger Mitchell Pinnock took on keeping duties saving the resulting free kick before the whistle.

The second half saw Hemel dominate the play pressing Bromley back and bombarding the box with corner and crosses. Pinnock saved well from a Rob Swaine slip, before the captain atoned with a clearance off the line soon after.

The visitors threw imposing centre back Mousa Diarra up front and their pressure eventually paid off on 73 minutes when a deep corner was headed back towards goal by Hawkins and Jorrell Johnson headed home from close range.

Sub Duncan Culley forced a save from Walker on a rare break, before Hawkins volleyed over following a great run by Banton for the visitors and Pinnock made a superb save from Parkes.

Late on Bromley had a good spell of pressure Culley hit the side netting after a scramble from a corner and they had two good shouts for handball turned down before time ran out on Mark Goldberg’s men.

This was a tough one to take for The Ravens who battled hard and certainly had no luck at all with the officiating, but the wisdom of not having a keeper on the bench and a poor week for Seb Brown cost them dear. Credit to Hemel who stuck to a game plan and got the vital break.

 

Bromley: Brown, Rodgers (Birchall 79), Anderson, Fuseini, Swaine, Holland, Scannell, Prestedge, Pinnock, Ademola (Dennis 73), Robertson (Culley 53).

Subs Not Used: McNaughton, Slabber.

Hemel: Walker, Asafu-Adjaye, Connolly (Lee 68), Parkes, Johnson, Diarra, Talbot, Rees (Saunders 61), Hawkins, Banton, Thorne (Daly 61).

Subs Not Used: Allen, May.

Goal: Johnson 73mins – Hemel.

Match Rating: 3/5

Star Man: Mitchell Pinnock (Bromley)

Ref: Mr D’Aguillar

Att: 558