Bromley moved clear into second place in the National League with a hard fought, single goal victory over Rochdale at a chilly Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon. 

With Chin Okoli missing, Besart Topalloj moved into centre back with Ryan Jones coming in at left wing back and both put in great performances for Andy Woodman’s side. 

The game got off to a cagey start, Rochdale passing the ball around the back and looking to keep possession while Bromley backed off refusing to be pulled out of shape and fall into their trap. Aside from the occasional set piece Bromley didn’t really spend much time in the Rochdale half, but the visitors did very little with their copious amounts of possession.

The only effort on target from Dale saw Devante Rodney’s tame shot comfortably gathered by Grant Smith, while The Ravens only chance came when Jones crossed for Deji Elerwewe, but his header was well saved by Louie Moulden. Late in the half Rochdale had a long spell of possession again, but Bromley were untroubled and saw the half out scoreless. 

The second half saw The Ravens come out looking more positive and asking questions of Dale, Michael Cheek had a header blocked by Cameron John before the visitors then had a good spell. Rodney had a goalbound shot cleared by Josh Passley, before Jesurun Uchegbulam forced a save from Smith at his near post. Uchegbulam then set up Rodney whose powerful shot hit Smith square in the face and was cleared to safety.

Ryan East shot just wide before the momentum swung back in Bromley’s faour with the introduction of Olufela Olomola up front. Jones crossed for Olomola who directed his header wide of the far post and Jude Arthurs had a free kick saved by Moulden as the home side began to press Dale.

After a spell of pressure around the visitors’ penalty area Bromley finally found a way through when Olomola pounced on a loose ball and smashed it high into the top left hand corner of the net to make it 1-0 with ten minutes left.

From there The Ravens controlled the game and almost doubled their lead late on when Olomola played in Passley down the right and his cross found Cheek whose header was turned over from close range, but the single goal was enough to secure the points for Bromley and move them three points ahead of Barnet.

The Ravens now have two cup games this week, travelling to Met Police in the London Senior Cup on Tuesday before taking on Slough Town in the FA Trophy at Hayes Lane next Saturday.                            

Bromley: Smith, Passley, Topalloj, Reynolds, Elerewe, Jones, Whitely, Krauhaus, Arthurs, Cheek, Dennis (Olomola 73).

Subs Not Used: Taylor-Hart, Pepple, Miller, Aziaya. 

Rochdale: Moulden, John (Afuya 90), Nevett, Ebanks-Landell, Keohane, Clayton, East, Gilmour, Rodney (Sinclair 74), Uchegbulam, Henderson.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Kelly, Oduroh.       

Goal: Olomola 80mins 

HT 0-0 FT 1-0 

Att: 2,524 

Referee: Richie Watkins