Bromley picked up their first win under new manager Andy Woodman at a cold and blustery Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon, thanks a backs to the wall defensive display and some superb goalkeeping from Mark Cousins that was just enough to see off a spirited Dagenham & Redbridge side.  

Woodman was forced to make one change ahead of the game with Jack Holland returning to replace the injured Byron Webster in central defence, while Chris Bush took the captaincy. 

The game got off to an open start with early chances at both ends, Will Wright’s free kick was saved by Cousins after Frankie Raymond had fouled Paul McCallum, before at the other end Raymond then shot wide from the edge of the box.

As the half went on though it was Dagenham who had the better of things, with George Saunders’ crosses from out wide causing most of Bromley’s problems.

McCallum had a header deflected wide by Bush and the big striker was also denied by Holland who headed clear when under pressure. Saidou Khan then set up Matt Robinson who shot over, before The Ravens caught The Daggers on the break just after the half hour mark.

Raymond playing in Cheek on the edge of the box who drilled the ball past Elliott Justham to put the home side in front with an unstoppable powerful strike.

Liam Vincent headed wide at the far post after good work by Jack Bridge soon after before Dagenham rallied again and created two more chances late on in the half.

McCallum shooting over after good work by Kenny Clark and Wright before another dangerous ball from Saunders was brilliantly saved by Cousins at his near post under pressure from Angelo Balanta. 

The second half saw Dagenham start on the front foot again, Robinson had a shot deflected wide and from the corner Dean Rance’s effort was cleared off the line by Bush.

On the break Bromley almost made it two when Bridge crossed for Cheek, but the league’s top scorer scuffed his chance wide from ten yards out. Bromley then suffered a blow when Holland had to go off injured, with Academy product Jude Arthurs coming on at right back and Joe Kizzi moving to centre back.

Balanta had a shot saved after good work by Khan, before Raymond almost doubled Bromley’s lead when he hit an uncontested drop ball on the volley and nearly caught Justham out who gathered the ball at his second attempt.

Raymond then crossed for Charlie Fox who headed wide at the back post, but The Daggers then had another strong spell of pressure. Balanta had a long range effort saved by Cousins and then McCallum headed a Wright cross just wide of the goal.

Bromley subs Luke Coulson and James Alabi combined to set up Taylor Maloney, but the Bromley midfielder fired over from 25 yards out. The Daggers continued to press with Rance setting up Mauro Vilhete whose shot was cleared off the line by Bush, who was immense all game and then McCallum was again denied by Cousins.

Vilhete had a shot deflected wide off Kizzi and as Daryl McMahon’s side pushed on again McCallum was thwarted once more when Cousins made a superb one hand save low down to his right.

McCallum headed wide soon after before Bromley briefly rallied, Cheek & Raymond combined to set up Alabi whose shot was saved by Justham, Alabi then turned provider as he played in Arthurs who shot over and Raymond also shot over after good work by Cheek.

In injury time Dagenham has one final spell of pressure, Kizzi denying McCallum with a brave header on the edge of the box and as Bromley broke clear Coulson appeared to be pulled back by Elliott Johnson, but Referee Jackson waved the appeals away and then sent Couslon off for his protests.

The Ten men Ravens dug in and held on for the three points, Rance heading over the visitors final chance right at the death.

Bromley are now unbeaten in three under new manager Woodman and remain in tenth place, four points off the National League play off places ahead of their trip to Woking on Tuesday night.                                               

Bromley: Cousins, Kizzi, Bush, Holland (Arthurs 54), Fox, Vincent (Coulson 45), Raymond, Maloney, Bridge, Cheek, Williamson (Alabi 70).

Subs Not Used; Duffus, Wakefield. 

Dagenham: Justham, Johnson, Rance, Clark, McCallum, Balanta, Robinson (Clifton 78), Saunders, Wright, Khan (Sagaf 69), Gordon (Vilhete 69).

Subs Not Used: Reynolds, Jones.Ref: Aaron Jackson

Goal: Cheek 32mins. 

HT 1-0

FT 1-0.       

Picture supplied by Ed Boyden Photos.