A ruthless second half display saw Bromley consign Guiseley to their sixth consecutive defeat of the season rendering them pointless and adrift at the foot of the Vanarama National league table.
Fans of both sides could not possibly have forseen what was to come in the second half after witnessing a first half low on quality at rain-soaked Nethermoor Park. It took until the 21st minute of the first half for either side to have an effort of consequence, Joe Anderson’s corner headed against the post by Dan Johnson and Bromley forwards unable to force the rebound in.
The effort seemed to shock Guiseley into life who subsequently went on to have the better of proceedings up until the half time break. Jordan Preston should have done better when he profited from a Michael Rankine knockdown but he fired high and wide from eight yards out when it seemed easier to hit the target.
Javan Vidal then went even closer, when he was allowed to run into the penalty area unchallenged but his low effort was saved by the feet of Alan Julian.
With Bromley struggling to create a meaningful chance they nearly took the lead on the stroke of half-time and against the run of play. Louis Dennis flighted in a fantastic free kick that George Porter guided goalwards with a deft header; however Dan Atkinson was equal to the effort parrying the ball away. Despite the subsequent goalmouth scramble no Bromley player was able to force the ball over the goal-line.
If the first half had failed to excite the fans in attendance, the five goal thriller in the second half more than made up for it. Starting the second half with an urgency that was noticeably absent in the opening 45 minutes, Bromley took the lead within six minutes of the restart.
Dennis floated a fantastic crossfield pass to Alfie Pavey who cushioned a header into the path of Blair Turgott, still with some work to do Turgott weaved his way to the edge of the 18 yard box before unleasing a fierce left foot drive beyond Atkinson for his first goal of the season.
The goal seemed to have contrasting effects on the body language of the both teams, Bromley immediately buoyed by the go ahead goal looked threatening every time they went forward whilst Guiseley became noticeably inhibited in their play. It was perhaps no surprise that Bromley doubled their lead three minutes later.
George Porter chased a long ball into the area and managed to toe poke the ball beyond the on-rushing Atkinson thus inducing the foul and penalty. Dennis promptly despatched the penalty with aplomb to send the away fans into raptures.
Pavey could have added a third immediately after the restart as he took advantage of slack defending to advance into the penalty area, alas his low drive rebounded off the post and to safety.
A slick interchange of passes between George Porter, Dennis, Pavey and Max Porter led to the latter increasing Bromley’s lead in the 71st minute, Porter was able to collect Pavey’s lay off and waltz unchallenged into the penalty area before sidefooting beyond Atkinson for Bromleys third. The elation on Max Porter’s face was matched by the whole team as they embraced him, very much in recognition of his long battle against injury.
Guiseley were to then have their best spell of the match following Bromley’s third as Bromley’s intensity levels dropped. In the 73rd minute Ash Palmer crashed his diving header against the post from Nicky Clee’s cross before Adam Boyes curled a delightful effort across the crossbar minutes later.
Guiseley were not to be denied a consolation goal when, three minutes from time, the enterprising Luke Porrit’s cross was only cleared to the edge of the area where Adam Smith was able to hit a first time volley that was deflected beyond Julian.
If that goal was to signal a late fight back from Guiseley, substitute Bradley Goldberg poured salt on Guiseley’s wounds with Bromley’s fourth in injury time. Set away by Dennis, Goldberg collected the ball on the far left touchline cut in past two defenders before curling a sumptuous effort beyond Atkinson into the top corner.
Despite a flurry of late goalmouth activity from both sides, Julian saving brilliantly from Smith and Turgott shooting straight at Atkinson when played through, no further goals were added to the game and Bromley were able to celebrate their first away win of the season.
With Bromley now unbeaten in three they welcome an Eastleigh side, newly managed by Ronnie Moore, to Hayes Lane on Monday in what is set to be a Bank Holiday cracker.
Guiseley AFC: D.Atkinson, Williams, Palmer, R.Atkinson, Vidal, O.Johnson (Porritt 70), Purver, Boyes, Hatfield (Clee 70), Rankine© (Smith 61), Preston
Subs not used: Lawlor, Deasy
Bromley: Julian, D.Johnson, Swaine, Holland ©, G.Porter (Goldberg 78), Dennis, Dymond, Anderson, Turgott, M.Porter (Prestedge 78), Pavey (Minshull 75)
Subs not used: Howe, Higgs,
Referee: T Bramall