Bromley recorded their first win of 2017 with a come from behind victory against Southport at Hayes Lane on Saturday, thanks in no small part to a double strike from Charlton loanee Brandon Hanlan who was named Man of the Match on his debut for The Ravens.
Bromley started the game brightly with Blair Turgott setting up Hanlan whose sliding effort was scrambled away.
Port came back into things almost immediately with Jake Wright having a goalbound shot blocked and Andrai Jones firing over from a corner.
Dave Martin and Hanlan combined well to set up Louis Dennis, but he put his effort over the bar from just inside the box.
The opening goal of the game came halfway through the first half when the visitors took the lead, Wright out muscled Bromley debutant Alan Dunne and coolly powered the ball past Alan Julian to put Southport in front.
The Ravens responded straight away though and were level on 23 minutes when Dennis played in Hanlan with a beautiful dinked pass that sat up just right for the young striker to drill the ball home past Magnus Norman for 1-1.
Hanlan’s strength, pace and footwork were a joy to watch for the home support and Port struggled to cope with him all afternoon.
Late in the half Jamie Allen had his dipping effort turned wide by Julian, the home keeper putting in another great display.
Bromley started the second half on the up and were in front on 49 minutes when Hanlan and Turgott combined to set up Dennis who controlled the ball just outside the box before sending and unstoppable effort past Norman and high into the far top corner of the net.
Four minutes later The Ravens killed the game off as Dennis crossed from the right to Lee Minshull who in turn set up Hanlan to convert from close range in a crowded six yard box.
Dennis went close soon after with a low drive following a strong run from deep, before the visitors battled back into things. Liam Hynes had a header pushed wide by Julian and Jones headed over from the resulting corner, but Bromley’s back line held up to the challenge marshalled by Captain Jack Holland who put in a fine display at centre back.
The game flowed from end to end without any real chances for either side right until the final minutes when Martin fired wide for Bromley and Allen had a low shot deflected wide for Southport.
This was a well earned and much needed win for Neil Smith’s side who looked stronger and better organised than they have for a while, Dennis thrived in his role up front behind Hanlan and the defence was far more solid with Dunne and Chorley alongside the ever reliable Anderson and Holland.
The Ravens will be hoping to continue the momentum against Torquay United at home next Saturday as they look to dispel any fears of being pulled into the struggle at the bottom of the table.
Goals: Bromley – Hanlan 23 & 53mins, Dennis 49mins. Southport – Wright 21mins.
Bromley: Julian, Dunne (Johnson 76), Chorley, Holland, Martin, Higgs, Minshull, Turgott (Porter 90), Dennis, Hanlan.
Subs Not Used: Dymond, Goldberg, Wynter.
Southport: Norman, Higgins, Ashton, Cundy, Murray, Hynes, Nolan, Allen, Jones, Weeks, Wright (McKenna 51).
Subs Not Used: Springthorpe, White, Grimes, McKeown.
Referee: Mr D Rock
HT 1-1 FT 3-1
ATT: 953