A vital single goal victory saw Bromley reach the National League promotion play-offs for the first time thanks to a second half Ben Williamson goal against Notts County on Saturday lunch time.

With fans back in the stadium for this first time since December and all to play for in the race for the play offs prior to kick off, there was an expectant buzz from the sell out crowd around Hayes Lane.

Andy Woodman made one change to his starting line up with Frankie Raymond coming in for Liam a Trotter in midfield lining up 4-4-2.

The game go off to an attacking start with Bromley going close through Michael Cheek who headed a Jack Bridge cross just wide.

At the other end Kyle Wootton then hit the bar for Notts and Jim O’Brien put the rebound wide from ten yards out. Mark Ellis hooked a corner over from a corner soon after before the game settled down for a while.

County had the better of the possession and they created the next good chance when Wootton curled a shot just wide from the edge of the area. Bromley still posed a threat on the break though and when Bridge crossed for Williamson and his shot was deflected in to the arms of keeper Sam Slocombe.

The Magpies continued to have the better of things with Rueben Rodrigues firing over and Adam Chicksen heading wide from a corner. Wootton went close again with a shot on the turn from the edge of the D, but the home defence remained resolute and made some vital blocks as the visitors piled on the pressure.

On a rare break up field Bromley were awarded a free kick for a foul on Williamson out wide and Raymonds’s free kick found Cheek whose header was saved by Slocombe. One final late spell from Notts was kept at bay by Bromley and half time came with the game scoreless and The Ravens in eighth.

Bromley came out in the second half looking far more positive, a long throw from Bush saw a shout for a penalty following a push on Kizzi, but County also had chances. Rodrigues had a shot deflected wide and Wootton had a shot well saved by Cousins.

With The Ravens having much more of the ball Bridge provided a superb outlet down the left and conversely Notts County posed a threat on the break with Bingham booked for a crude block on Miller as he broke up field. Wootton fired over after a good run for the visitors, but it was Bromley who looked to more dangerous over all.

Harry Forster had a shot saved by Slocombe down to his left and then on 65 minutes they got the vital break though when Raymond hit post from distance and following a scramble in the area Williamson eventually turned the ball over the line for 1-0.

County broke again with Rodrigues forcing a great save from Cousins and then Charlie Fox blocked Miller’s rebound. Bromley didn’t sit back though, sensing a need for another goal Liam Trotter and James Alabi set up Bridge who then played on Forster whose shot was deflected wide.

From the corner Alabi headed against the bar and Slocombe then made a great double save from Bridge and Alabi at the near post. County created one final chance when Chicksen crossed for Richard Brindley whose header was saved at the far post by Cousins, but it was The Ravens who had the ball for the final few minutes.

Fox and Alabi set up Bridge who shot wide and then from there Bromley kept possession and saw the game out for a historic victory that sets up an away game at Hartlepool United next Sunday.

Bromley: Cousins Kizzi Bush Mitchell Fox Raymond (Trotter 72) Bridge Arthurs (Forster 61)Bingham Cheek Williamson (Alabi 69)Subs not used: Holland Campbell

Notts; Slocombe Brindley Ellis Reeves (Boldewijn 45) O’Brien Doyle Wootton Rawlinson Rodrigues (Griffiths 88) Chicksen Miller (Sam 75). Subs not used: Turner Kelly-Evans.

Ref: Steven Copeland
Goal: Williamson 65mins.

HT 0-0 FT 1-0

Image courtesy of Ed Boyden