Bromley and Altrincham shared the points in a dramatic & entertaining game between second and fourth, that saw two red cards and an injury time equaliser from the visitors in front of the TNT Sports cameras at a blustery Hayes Lane. 

Bromley went into the game with Alec Kirk returning at centre back after an injury lay off and Olufela Olomola starting up front. 

The Ravens got off to a lively start with Corey Whitely firing over and Besart Topalloj having an effort saved by Ethan Ross in The Alty goal.

Ben Krauhaus then crossed for Callum Reynolds who headed over, before Josh Passley set up Michael Cheek whose effort went wide at the near post.

Then on 13 minutes on their first attack, Altrincham took the lead when Kirk lost the ball in midfield and the visitors’ quick break up field saw Alex Newby set up Chris Conn-Clarke to convert from close range.

Jude Arthurs had a free kick saved as Bromley pressed for an equaliser, but Andy Woodman’s team did looked troubled by Altrincham’s quick passing moves when they did break.

Bromley pressurised the visitors with a series of long throws, free kicks and corners into the box, but Altrincham got blocks in and repelled the direct assault.

Reynolds headed over again, Cheek had a shot saved by Ross at his near post and Topalloj set up Olomola whose chipped effort was headed off the line.

Right at the end of the half Altrincham almost made it two when Conn-Clarke played in Newby, but Reynolds made a vital saving tackle as he shaped to shoot. 

The second half got off to a dramatic start when Elliott Osborne was sent off for a second yellow card after pulling back Krauhaus in midfield.

From the resulting free kick, Kirk fired over after a scramble in the area. The Ravens soon levelled against the ten men when Olomola crashed the ball home after another set piece wasn’t cleared by Altrincham, Kirk’s long throw being teed up by Webster and to make things worse for Phil Parkinson’s side, Keeper Ross was injured in the incident, colliding with Cheek.

Just as Woodman indicated to his team that he wanted to change to 4-4-2, Arthurs was then red carded for reckless tackle on Wilson in the centre circle that gave Referee Michael Barlow no choice, but to order him off.

Lewis Leigh was introduced from the bench as Bromley still looked to press Altrincham and they went in front on 62 minutes when Topalloj’s cross from the left found Olomola who drove the ball into the roof of the net for 2-1.

With The Ravens pressing for more, Topalloj then played in Leigh who shot narrowly wide, Kirk had a shot saved by Ross after a strong run from deep and Leigh played in Krauhaus who shot wide when appearing to be fouled by Lewis Baines, but a goal kick was awarded.

Louis Dennis came on for Cheek who had been booked and Dennis glided into the box before rolling the ball just wide of the far post.

On a rare break, Alty’s subs combined when Regan Linney set up Dior Angus, but he fired over with an effort across the face of goal.

With the game heading into seven minutes of added on time, Altrincham sniffed an equaliser and pressed for a spell, but this time it was Bromley who broke away with Olomola almost completing a hatrick when shooting just wide.

With the clock on 92 minutes Alty were awarded a free kick twenty yards from goal and Newby superbly lifted the ball over the ball and just under the bar into the top right hand corner of the net, giving Grant Smith no chance and making it 2-2.

There was one final incident in this enthralling game, when Newby went down without contact in the area, but Referee Barlow declined to show Alty’s Number 30 a second yellow card and the game ended with ten a side and the scores all square. 

The point leaves Bromley in second place, while Altrincham drop to sixth. The Ravens now prepare for a double header with Ebbsfleet Utd, away on Boxing Day and home on 30th December. 

Bromley: Smith, Passley (Leigh 59), Kirk, Webster, Reynolds, Topalloj, Krauhaus, Arthurs, Whitely, Cheek (Dennis 71). Olomola.

Subs Not Used: Kpekawa, Weston, Sharman-Lowe.                                       

Altrincham: Ross, Banks, Baines, Dackers (Linney 71), Marriott, Wilson (Angus 83), Cooper, Osborne, Amaluzor, Newby, Conn-Clarke (Kosylo 57).

Subs Not Used: Brockbank, Gould. 

Goals: BFC – Olomola 56, 63 mins AFC – Conn-Clarke 13, Newby 92mins. 

Referee: Michael Barlow. 

HT 0-1 FT 2-2    

ATT: 2,136