Bromley picked up a much needed home win on Saturday evening live in front of the BT Sport cameras as they defeated Aldershot 2-0 thanks to some good defending and a goal in either half.

In heavy rain with standing water in places on the 3G surface it was Aldershot who started on the front foot with Mo Bettamer firing over from close range.

The Shots put Bromley under pressure early on from set pieces and kept the ball for long periods.

Bromley’s first chance came when Frankie Raymond, who was deputising at left back for Chris Bush, sent in a free kick that Brad James palmed wide and the resulting corner was eventually gathered by James after a scramble in the six yard box.

Aldershot continued to press with Harrison Panayiotou having a header saved by Mark Cousins who was also on hand to gather Joel Nouble’s back heeled effort from a free kick.

The Ravens battled their way back into things from there with Ben Williamson forcing James to scuff a clearance wide and Billy Bingham firing just off target.

Then on 20 minutes Charlie Wakefield went on an attacking run through midfield and found Jack Bridge on the left who drilled his low powerful shot into the far corner of the net from just outside the area to make it 1-0. Soon after Raymond saw an in swinging corner tipped over the bar by James before The Shots pressed again.

A series of corners put The Ravens defence under pressure, but they held out with Alex Finley heading wide right on the whistle.

The second half was more open, but Aldershot were on top again.

Former Raven Josh Rees had a shot saved by Cousins and Nouble drilled the rebound narrowly wide, then sub Ricky Miller hit the side netting from a tight angle after set piece.

Miller was lucky to only receive a yellow card soon after when he launched an awful challenge on Jack Holland who had just come on as sub and was caught late as he beat him to a loose ball. Bromley changed shape to 3-5-2, but initially it was still the visitors who dominated.

Kory Roberts cleared a Miller effort off the line after a scramble from a free kick, but against the run of play Bromley made it 2-0 on 79 minutes. Raymond found Bingham from a corner and his powerful shot from 20yards was turned in by Michael Cheek in a crowded area at close range.

The game opened up from there with Cousins saving well from Chike Kandi at one end and Holland having a header saved from another good Raymond free kick at the other.

Bromley saw the game out from there though and picked up their first win of 2021, taking The Ravens up to tenth in the National League table, four points off the play offs.

Neil Smith’s side now travel to Notts County on Tuesday before they visit Weymouth next Saturday as the busy fixtures schedule continues.

Bromley: Cousins Kizzi Raymond Roberts Webster Maloney Wakefield Bridge (Holland 67)Bingham Williamson (Alabi 75) Cheek (Duffus 90).

Aldershot: James Finney Lyons-Foster Ress Bettamer (Miller 57)Panayiotou Whittingham Nouble (Kandi 75)Anderson Edser (Rowe 81)Ogie. Subs Not Used: Hall Sendles-White

Goals: Bridge 20, Cheek 79mins.
HT 1-0 FT 2-0

Ref: James Durkin

Pictures supplied by Ed Boyden Photos.