In a stereotypical game of two halves Bromley edged out League leaders Leyton Orient in a hugely entertaining encounter in front of a packed Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.
The game got off to a fiery start when Sam Wood was pushed into the advertising hoardings by Alex Lawless who was eventually booked after opposing players confronted each other, the first of nine booking over the match.
When the play settled down Orient dominated things, with Bromley playing on the counter attack. Josh Coulson had a header cleared off the line by Wood and Jay Simpson fired the rebound over the bar.
The Os caused The Ravens lots of problems with Charlee Lee’s long throws into box and they were quicker and sharper to every ball. Simpson had an effort saved by David Gregory, before the pace of the game slowed down and Bromley occasionally had the ball.
Lawless was very lucky to avoid a second yellow when he caught Wood with a late challenge in front of the away section. Wood picked himself up in time to cross for JJ Hooper whose header was saved by Dean Brill.
Then in first half injury time Orient took the lead when Lee’s long throw caused chaos in the box before Josh Coulson hooked the ball into the net from ten yards out.
The second half was only two minutes old when the game turned completely, George Porter raced clear of the visitor’s defence and was brought down by Marvin Ekpiteta on the edge of the box.
Referee Finnie not only awarded Bromley a penalty, but he then sent off Ekpiteta. After a lengthy delay for the Orient players’ protests, Frankie Sutherland tucked away the spot kick to equalise.
After Coulson put an effort wide for Orient, The Ravens then went in front when Frankie Raymond crossed for Reeco Hackett who powerfully headed home at the far post for 2-1.
Luke Coulson had a shot saved by Brill before another flash point came when Porter was booked for a heavy challenge, which cued another mass confrontation involving players, both benches and then some of the visiting fans who were around the home dug out. Eventually things calmed down and The O’s Assistant Manager was sent off.
Bromley continued to have the better of things with Hooper putting a superb Richard Brindley cross wide. Orient’s James Brophy was booked for diving as The Ravens sat deeper switching to five at the back and Dan Happe had a header saved from a free kick.
Brindley struck the bar with a powerful effort from 20 yards out and also went close again soon after, while at the other end Macauley Bonne put a chance over following a well constructed free kick move.
Then in the seven minutes of injury time it was Bromley who created the last two chances, Raymond hit the inside of the post after jinking into the box and then Hooper rolled the ball wide following a mix up between Brill and Coulson.
The final whistle sparking huge celebrations from the home support and the players who gave absolutely everything for this notable victory, their third over Leyton Orient in four National League fixtures.
The win takes Neil Smith’s side up to twelfth in the table ahead of their home game with Aldershot Town on Saturday.
Bromley: Gregory, Brindley, Wood, Holland, Johnson, Coulson, Hackett (Okoye 81), Porter (Bugeil 72), Sutherland, Raymond, Hooper.
Subs Not Used: Wiredu, Dunne, Higgs.
Orient: Brill, Widdowson, Lawless (Alabi 67), Coulson, Clay, Bonne, Happe, Brophy, Ekpiteta, Lee, Simpson (Koroma 67).
Subs Not Used: Sargeant, Dayton, Gorman.
Goals: Bromley – Sutherland 47pen, Hackett 63mins. Orient – Coulson 45mins.
Ref: Mr Will Finnie
HT 0-1 FT 2-1
Att: 3,047