Bromley recoded their third consecutive 1-0 win in the National League on Saturday afternoon in a battling performance against Scunthorpe United, playing for over an hour with ten men after Chris Bush’s first half red card.

The Ravens were without Byron Webster and Billy Bingham for the match, but Bush returned and played alongside Omar Sowunmi & Callum Reynolds in a back three.   

After a delayed kick off due to an issue with the nets spotted by the eagle eyed referee, Scunthorpe started the better looking to press from the start, but as the game went on Bromley battled back into things and play was wide open.

The Ravens created the better chances though with James Vennings playing in George Alexander, but his shot was saved by Marcus Dewhurst in The Iron goal and the keeper also denied Harry Forster soon after.

With Bromley now on top Alexander crossed for Reece Hannam whose shot was saved by Dewhurst and then Corey Whitely shot wide after a poor back pass from Reagan Ogle.

Dead on the half an hour mark The Ravens were reduced to ten men when Bush was fouled by Joe Nuttall on the half way line, the two then clashed off the ball, with the Bromley centre back shown a straight red for his part in the incident.

Five minutes later Ravens Coach Alan Dunne was also sent off from the dug out as he continued to argue the point with the match officials.

Andy Woodman switched to four at the back for the remainder of the half and they defended solidly.

Jai Rowe hit an effort wide from range for the visitors and Reynolds made a great block to deny Nuttall just inside the box, but Bromley also had a late chance when Whitely and Alexander combined to set up Cheek, but the striker fired over from close range and the game remained scoreless at the break.

The second half saw Bromley start looking to be positive and they went 1-0 up on 52 minutes when a free kick on the half way line was played across field by Hannam to Forster who pumped the ball into the box, Cheek then flicked the ball on to Alexander and his goal bound effort was bundled over the line by Reynolds in a crowded six yard box.

Scunthorpe rallied from there, Jacob Butterfield shot just wide from outside the area and Ogle forced a save from Reice Charles-Cook.

The Iron manager Keith Hill made all three subs by the hour mark as he looked to change things up, Marcus Carver heading over from a corner after just coming on.

Bromley still posed a threat on the break and had a great chance to double their lead when Whitely played in Cheek down the left, but the striker shot wide from 15yards despite Iron keeper Dewhurst slipping as he tried to close him down.

Scunthorpe continued to press with Daniel Gallimore seeing his low drive well saved by Charles-Cook at his near post. Bromley’s defence dug in again, switching to 4-4-1 with Mason Bloomfield replacing Cheek.

Bloomfield almost helped The Ravens make it two when he challenged Dewhurst for a high ball and the keepers punch fell to Ethan Coleman, but the midfielder’s half volley from 25 yards dropped just wide.

Late on Charles-Cook was booked for time wasting as Referee Jackson continued to make his presence felt and he also booked Hannam soon after.

With The Ravens camped in their own half, Ogle headed over for the visitors from a corner and then in the seven minutes of injury time a Butterfield free kick from the left was headed into the side netting by George Taft in a good position at the far post.

Bromley held on from there and secured all three points which takes them up to sixth in the table. 

A quick turn around sees Bromley now travel to Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday afternoon, although they will now also be without the suspended Bush.                                                 

Bromley: Charles-Cook, Reynolds, Hannam, Bush, Sowunmi. Coleman, Cheek (Bloomfield 71), Whitely, Forster, Vennings, Alexander (Arthurs 62).

Subs Not Used: Bradshaw, Dennis, Marriott. 

Scunthorpe: Dewhurst, Ogle, Boyce, Feeney, Beestin (Carver 52), Nuttall, Rowe (Wallace 60), Taft, Butterfield, Daniel (O’Malley 52), Gallimore.

Subs Not Used: Fletcher, Whitehouse.   

Goal: Reynolds 52mins. 

Referee: Aaron Jackson 

HT 0-0 FT 1-0

Att: 2,018