Bromley’s unbeaten run came to and end on Saturday afternoon when they were beaten by a rugged Boreham Wood side who recorded their first National League win of 2019.
The game got off to a cautious start before Bromley started to edge the possession, but they failed to make several corners and set pieces count, clearly missing the creative class of the suspended Frankie Sutherland in central midfield.
George Porter had a shot blocked after good work by JJ Hooper and Frankie Raymond, while Luke Coulson also went close soon after when he sent an audacious 30 yard chip just wide of the goal following Ryan Huddart’s strong block of an effort from Omar Bugeil on the edge of the box. Bugeil then also went close when his header from a Raymond free kick deflected wide for a corner.
The Wood had only created a couple of tame half chances right up to the 40th minute when they took the lead following a scramble from a corner that fell to Ralston Gabriel to coolly find the corner of the net from ten yards out and put the visitors in front at the break.
Bromley started the second half well with Jake Goodman having a powerful shot palmed wide by Huddart and Coulson rattling the crossbar after breaking into the Boreham Wood box with a jinking run.
Bromley pressed the visitors defence for long periods, but the Wood defence dealt with it comfortably and anything that did get through was gathered by the imposing Huddart. As the half went on the visitors grew stronger with Kieran Murtagh having a shot saved at the near post by David Gregory and from the resulting corner the Bromley keeper stopped David Stephens’ header.
Just after the hour mark The Ravens suffered a big blow when Goodman was carried off with a nasty looking knee injury after a lengthy spell of treatment. With Wood in the ascendency Gregory made a fine one handed save from a Tom Champion volley and also denied Sean Shields’s low drive, before Bromley rallied with Hooper and Porter going close.
Late on Bromley did most of the attacking with Marc-Anthony Okoye having a header from a corner cleared off the line, but then Luke Garrad’s team sealed their win when sub Bradley Ash saw his shot through a crowd of players spilled by Gregory right into the path of Idris Kanu who converted from six yards out and seal their win.
Porter had an effort saved in injury time, but The Ravens never really had enough quality to breakdown a resilient Boreham Wood who were clearly delighted with their first league victory of the year.
Neil Smith’s side still remain eleventh and now travel to Harrogate Town on Tuesday night before a shorter trip to Dagenham & Redbridge next Saturday.
Bromley: Gregory, Brindley, Wood, Okoye, Goodman (Johnson 64), Coulson, Raymond, Higgs (Wiredu 64), Porter, Bugeil (Lewis 81), Hooper. Subs Not Used: Dunne, Phillpot.
Boreham Wood: Huddart, Ilesanmi, Ricketts, Stephens, Champion, Gabriel (Ash 87), Murtagh, Fyfield, Kanu, Shields, Shaibu (Shakes 74). Subs Not Used: Legg, Woddards, Parry.
Goals: Gabriel 40 mins, Kanu 90mins.
Ref: Mr David Rock
HT 0-1 FT 0-2
Att: 1,326