Bromley picked up a hard fought three points at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon as three first half goals and a resilient second half defensive display gave them victory over Altrincham and move up to ninth in the National League table.

Going into the game with an unchanged line up from Tuesday’s draw at Boreham Wood, The Ravens got off to the perfect start when Jack Bridge and Billy Bingham combined to set up Michael Cheek who coolly slotted the ball into the corner of the net in a crowded area after only four minutes.

The game was wide open from there with play going from end to end and there were lots of turn overs of possession, with both sides looking to be positive. Altrincham started to create chances as the half went on with Jake Moult & Matty Kosylo going close, before Yusifu Ceesay set up Alistair Smith whose shot was deflected wide.

Smith went close again as Alty continued to press with some nice build up play, but Bromley battled hard to keep them out and they had a few chances themselves when Courtney Duffus headed a Frankie Raymond cross over and then had another effort saved by Tony Thompson down low at the near post after a strong run into the box.

The visitors eventually drew level on 36 minutes when a low Connor Hampson cross from the left found Moult free in the box to drive home the equaliser, but Altrincham’s parity only lasted a minute when Jack Bridge had a strong run into the box with his shot saved for a corner by Thompson. Raymond’s set piece then found Joe Kizzi at the far post to powerfully head home for The Ravens and make it 2-1.

Then only two minutes later it was 3-1 when Jack Holland was pushed in the box by Moult challenging for a header and Referee Sunny Gill spotted the infringement and pointed to the spot. Cheek stepped up to take the penalty and scored his fourteenth of the season driving the ball straight down the middle for 3-1.

Bromley could have had a fourth just before half time when Luke Coulson latched on to a Raymond long ball and hit a superb half volley which Thompson did really well to tip over the bar while back peddling.

The second half was a different kind of game, Bromley sat deep and battled hard to close down the Altrinhcham attack, closing the ball down from the front two backwards and denying them a way through while looking to hit Alty on the break.

Chris Bush had a free kick tipped over by Thompson and Coulson was also denied by the keeper following good link up play by Duffus & Cheek who are starting to form a great strike partnership.

As Bromley rallied Cheek headed a corner wide when looking for his third and Couslon was just off target from the edge of the box, before Altrincham had another strong spell late on.

The impressive Ceesay had a shot well saved by Mark Cousins low down to his left after a good passing move and then Bromley were reduced to ten men when Bush was red carded for elbowing Smith off the ball at a free kick.

Kosylo’s free kick hit the wall and Tobias Mullarkey fired wide soon after, but The Ravens held out and secured a vital win to help their play-off challenge.

Neil Smith’s side now travel to second placed Sutton Utd on Tuesday night looking to continue their unbeaten run moving to within three points of the top seven.

Bromley: Cousins Kizzi Bush Holland Raymond Coulson (Williamson 81) Bingham Trotter Bridge (Wakefield 81) Cheek (Alabi 86) Duffus. Subs Not Used: Vincent, Roberts.

Alty: Thompson Hampson (Densmore 58) Sutton Hannigan Moult Ceesay Kosylo Smith Senior Harrison (Peers 63) Hardy (Mullarkey 78). Subs Not Used: Williams Richman.

Goals: Bromley – Cheek 4 & 40mins, Kizzi 37mins. Altrincham – Moult 36mins.
Ref: Mt Sunny Gill
HT 3-1 FT 3-1.