Bromley secured their place in the National League promotion play offs with a hard fought 2-0 win over third place Chesterfield at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon.
Chesterfield started the game on top, pressing Bromley back and The Ravens then suffered an early blow when influential midfielder Ryan Stirk had to go off injured after a heavy challenge from Ollie Banks.The Spirerites went close when Banks set up Darren Oldaker, but he fired wide and Andrew Dallas then headed over from a corner.
With the visitors controlling the ball and pushing Bromley’s back five, Kennlen Fisher and man of the match Deji Elerewe made vital blocks on the edge of their area.
As the half went on, Bromley came back into things, Elerewe headed over from a corner and Billy Bingham had a free kick saved after a foul on Fisher just outside the box.
The game had a real physical edge with The Ravens physio very busy, but the visitors were forced to calm things down when Referee Richardson eventually showed Laurence Maguire and Banks yellow cards.
Andy Woodman’s side had a strong shout for a penalty turned down for a push in the box at a corner, but they made the key breakthrough soon after when a free kick into the box came back out to Bingham who hit an unstoppable volley from 25yards into the net off the far post to make it 1-0.
Ryan Colclough had a shot superbly saved by Reice Charles-Cook, before The Ravens were given the opportunity to double their head when Whitely was brought down in the box by Banks and the referee pointed to the spot. Michael Cheek stepped up to take the penalty, but he drove the kick against the bar and it bounced over.
The match was wide open for the final few minutes of the half, Omar Sowunmi having a header from a Bingham free kick saved by Ross Fitzsimmons, while at the other end Dallas was denied by another good save from Charles-Cook.
The second half started with Chesterfield on top again, but Bromley had the first chance when Jude Arthurs crossed for Besart Topalloj who headed over.
After a spell of pressure from The Spireites The Ravens broke upfield and Arthurs had a shot blocked on the edge of the area after a strong run.
Paul Cook’s men continued to press, but Bromley kept them at bay and for the most part outside the penalty area.
As with the first half The Ravens came into things as it progressed, Bingham had a shot saved, before Ash Palmer had a header saved from a corner. Then just before the hour mark Bromley grabbed a vital second goal, Dennis broke down the right and his low cross into the box for Cheek was intercepted by Palmer and deflected into his own net, giving Fitzsimmons no chance.
Dennis had a shot of his own saved soon after as the game became wide open, Colclough had a shot saved by Charles-Cook at the other end and with teams exchanging chances Dennis went close for Bromley again after good work by Elerewe & Whitely, while Liam Manderville was just off target for Chesterfield.
Colclough volleyed wide in injury time for The Spirerites and a late free kick came to nothing as Bromley held on to their clean sheet and won all three points to extend their season into May.
The Ravens now travel to Oldham Athletic on Saturday knowing they are already in the play offs and the result will only decide if they are to finish sixth or seventh.
Bromley: Charles-Cook, Topalloj, Fisher, Sowunmi, Reynolds, Elerewe, Whitely (Vennings 90), Bingham, Stirk (Arthus 9), Cheek, Dennis.
Subs Not Used: Webster, Forster, Marriott.
Chesterfield: Fitzsimmons, King (Quigley 68), Palmer, Maguire, Banks (Akinola 75), McCallum (Uchebulam 68), Colclough, Manderville, Oldaker, Dallas, Grimes.
Subs Not Used: Williams, Jones.
HT 1-0 FT 2-0
Goals: Bingham 36, Palmer Own Goal 59mins.
Att: 3,800
Referee: Jason Richardson