Back in August both these teams were aiming to be challenging for the play offs, but as the New Year got going they met in a relegation battle at Hayes Lane both desperately needing points to help their bids to secure league safety and it was the home side who got that vital three points.
The visitors got off the perfect start when Damian Scannell went down in the box under a challenge from Moses Swaibu and Referee Mr Holderness pointed too the spot. After lengthy protests that saw Ali Fuseini booked Jai Reason smashed the penalty in straight down the middle on 3 minutes.
The Spitfires looked far more up for it in the opening spells with Scannell the driving force. Bromley finally got back into things as the half went on and the game opened up with Danny Waldren going close for The Ravens and the busy Glen Southam heading just wide at the other end. Bromley drew level on 26 minutes when Fuseini headed a cross against the bar before finding the corner of the net with the rebound from ten yards out.
The Ravens had a decent spell going into the break, but often over played a little too much in the final third. Just before the whistle Andy Forbes almost putEastleighback in front, but headed just wide from a corner.
The second half saw Bromley start the livelier and they went in front on 46 minutes when Marlon Patterson put in a dangerous cross which Ross Flitney punched straight into Pierre Joseph-Dubois chest and the ball deflected off the French striker into the net.
Richard Pacquette, who had been with Bromley until December, had an effort saved by Joe Welch, but before The Spitfires could really recover it was 3-1 on 56 minuteswhen a deep corner was powerfully headed towards goal by Moses Swaibu and turned in from close range by Louie Theophanous, his first goal since joining from Staines.
The Ravens gave everything from that point to preserve the win and were first to every challenge and loose ball. Eastleigh’s best chance of the half fell to Craig McAllister but his header was cleared off the line by Liam Harwood.
The introduction of substitute Aaron Rhule added an extra spark to the home team he had one great shot well saved by Flitney and also had a good shout for a penalty when brought down by two defenders after a strong run.
Late in the half Dubois went close again with a header from a corner, whileEastleighhad a brief spell of attacking pressure, but Bromley held out for the win.
Mark Goldberg, who was in Middlesbrough watching his son play for Hastings, will have been well pleased with the performance in his absence.
Bromley: Welch, Ming, Patterson, Swaibu (Holland90), Harwood, Dubois, Fuseini, Finn, Waldren, Buchanan (Rhule 76), Theophanous.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Orome, Chaaban.
Eastleigh: Flitney, Sankofa (Mills 61), Everitt, Hughes (Jordan76), Forbes, Nelson, Pacquette (McAllister 61), Southam, Peacock, Reason, Scannell.
Subs Not Used: Dovey, Green.
Goals: Bromley – Fuseini 26, Dubois 46, Theophanous 56.
Eastleigh– Reason Pen 3.
Match Rating: 4/5
Star Man: Ali Fuseini (Bromley)
Referee: Mr Holderness
Att: 315