In this highly entertaining match between the National League’s top two, Bromley came out on top in a seven goal thriller against Chesterfield, in turn recording their first league win in 2024. 

The Ravens went into the game unchanged from last week’s win at Aveley and Andy Woodman set his side up in the usual 5-3-2 formation with Sam Woods sitting in front of the three centre backs. 

The match got off to an open start with Chesterfield having the better of things, while Bromley created the clearer chances with Michael Cheek and Louis Dennis heading wide from corners.

The visitors tried to play out from the back, but The Ravens were happy to sit off and wait for the mistake, while when they did get forward, Chestrefield’s Ollie Banks pulled the strings in midfield. The game was very even right up until the half hour mark when a corner came out to Darren Oldaker on the edge of the area who just got to the ball ahead of Ben Krauhaus and was brought down for a penalty.

Will Grigg stepped up and sent Grant Smith the wrong way to put the leaders in front from the spot. Michael Jacobs fired just over soon after and Banks was denied by Smith before Chesterfield slowed the pace of the game and kept Bromley at bay going into the break. 

The second half got off to the perfect start for the home side when Dennis broke down the right and crossed for Cheek whose header was saved by Harry Tyrer, but the Bromley striker pounced on the rebound and bundled the ball home to equalise on 47 minutes.

With Chesterfield looking rattled Josh Passley sent in a free kick which Kamarl Grant headed over as he collided with Tyrer who required treatment afterwards. With The Ravens now well on top, Dennis and Alex Kirk combined to set up Cheek who headed just wide.

Bromley made their pressure pay on 63 minutes when Dennis played in Corey Whitely who then played in the perfect pass to Cheek who slotted the ball home and made it 2-1. Bromley’s lead only lasted four minutes though when Banks received the ball 30 yards from goal and fired an unstoppable shot that cannoned in off the under side of the bar for 2-2.

Five minutes later The Spireites were back in front when a corner from the left was flicked home by Tom Naylor past a static home defence and all of a sudden it was 2-3.

The game opened up once more with Grant having a header cleared off the line for Bromley, while Banks and Grigg were both just off target for Chesterfield. With the game being played at a frantic pace and going from end to end, Andy Woodman changed the shape of the side slightly and introduced Myles Weston. Bromley drew level again on 86 minutes, when Weston broke down the left and sent in the perfect ball for Cheek to make it 3-3 in off the post and secure his hatrick.

Chesterfield came back looking to get in front, but Bromley kept their heads and pushed for a winner going into stoppage time. Besart Topalloj crossed for Kirk who forced a great save from Tyrer at the far post, Olufela Olomola hit the top of the bar from tight angle and then the winning goal finally came on 93 minutes.

Kirk sent in a great ball from the right and Woods got to the ball first to turn it home at the near post and make it 4-3 to cue more celebrations in the home crowd. Chesterfield tried to get the ball forward one more time in the nine minutes of added on time, but Bromley held on and secured a hard earned three points that keeps them in second place, twenty points behind the leaders. 

The Ravens now go into another home game on Tuesday night against Dagenham & Redbridge looking to kick on from this phenomenal performance against an excellent Chesterfield side bound for the Football League.

Bromley: Smith, Passley, Kirk, Reynolds, Grant, Topalloj, Woods, Whitely (Weston 82), Krauhaus (Charles 72), Cheek, Dennis (Olomola 72). Subs Not Used: Orlowski, Webster. 

Chesterfield: Tyrer, Clements, Grimes, Oldaker, Naylor, Williams, Sheckleford, Banks, Jacons (Doubra 83), Madeville (Palmer 95) Grigg. Subs Not Used: Hobson, Quigley, Jones.     

Goals: BFC – Cheek 47, 63, 86mins, Woods 93mins. CFC – Grigg 30pen, Banks 67, Naylor 72mins. 

HT 0-1 FT 4-3     

Att: 3,889

Referee: James Durkin.