A superb Reece Prestedge strike just before the hour was enough to see Bromley edge this local derby against Jamie Day’s work in progress Ebbsfleet and rise to the top of the table.

Ebbsfleet started the game stronger with Danny Kedwell firing over and they continued to put pressure on Bromley’s back line who held up well to the powerful duo of Kedwell and Adam Cunnington.

The Ravens started to improve as the half went on though with Reece Prestedge and Louis Dennis going close.

Former Bromley winger Brendan Kiernan had a low drive well saved by Alan Julian and soon after Cunnington went close before clashing with Rob Swaine and appearing to kick the visitors’ captain in the face as they lay on the ground, an incident missed by the match officials.

Late in the half Bromley had a good spell of pressure with Anthony Cook posing a real threat down the wings, Dennis was denied by Preston Edwards while Bradley Goldberg and Cook were just off target.

The second half saw both sides frustrated by offside decision before Bromley seized the initiative on 58 minutes when a half cleared set piece came out to Prestedge who with time and space sent a powerful low drive past Edwards and into the corner of the net from 25 yards.

Ebbsfleet’s frustration boiled over into some very strong challenges mainly directed towards their former wide man Cook which saw two yellow cards issued.

The Fleet did pose a threat with their two pronged target man attack, but The Ravens centre back partnership of Swaine and Jack Holland coped with everything thrown at them.

A Kiernan over-head kick was gathered by Julian, but in truth the home side created very little in the way of clear chances.

Late on Theo Lewis was also booked for a reckless tackle on Danny Waldren as he made another surging run towards the area, before Joe Anderson Goldberg forced saves from Edwards as Bromley saw the game out and recorded what could prove to be a massive win in the Conference South title race.

 

Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Clark, Jefford, T Lewis, Longmead, Bonner, Shields, S Lewis, Kedwell, Cunnington, Kiernan.

Subs Not Used: Johnson, Turner, Day, Gower, Pooley.

Bromley: Julian, Udoji, Anderson, Swaine, Holland, Cook, Waldren, Prestedge, Dennis (Ademola 84), Goldberg, May (Fuseini 84).

Subs Not Used: Slabber, McNaughton, Rodgers.

Referee: Mr M George

Goals: Prestedge 58mins – Bromley.

Att: 1,270

HT 0-0 FT 0-1