A resolute and determined performance from Bromley saw the Ravens to a 2-1 win at Dover Athletic on Tuesday night.

An efficient attacking performance in the first half and a clinical yet defensively solid second 45 sent Bromley home with all three points.

Straight from kickoff, Bromley launched an attack, which saw Louis Dennis gain possession and cut in from the left, before unleashing a low, angled shot, which was easily gathered by Mitch Walker.

The home side’s first chance fell to former Torquay United defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco, who took down Mitch Brundle’s corner and curled an effort towards goal, only for David Gregory to react well to tip the shot wide. On the 25 minute mark, Bromley could and should have taken the lead. After a long, surging run from centre back Jack Holland, the captain found Josh Rees in the box, who took a touch and put a shot a matter of inches wide.

However, just nine minutes later, Rees atoned for his earlier miss and put Bromley ahead. Dennis pulled away from Gallifuoco and put a low ball into the box, where Rees tucked home from just outside the six yard box. Brett Williams nearly doubled the away side’s lead, but when one on one with Walker, the Dover stopper bravely blocked his powerful effort.

As the second half began, Dover earned themselves a flurry of corners from a consistent flow of attacks, yet, Bromley stood firm and defended well, with Gregory making two excellent saves to deny Jamie Allen and a further stop from the lively Brundle.

On 70 minutes, Brundle’s lofted free kick was headed towards goal by Ryan Bird and cleared off the line. From this, Bromley launched a slick counter attack and after great wing play and a wonderful from substitute Iffy Allen, Dennis slotted home a low, first time effort after making a superb run and beating the advancing Walker to the ball, with what must have been Bromey’s first real chance of the second half.

However, just 3 minutes later, the hosts got themselves back in the game, after a scramble in the six yard box ended in the ball being blasted into Gregory, and then into the net via the unfortunate Bromley goalkeeper, who had had a good game thus far.

Yet, after a late flurry from Dover, including a Bird shot which went narrowly wide, Bromley held out and contained the hosts’ threat, sealing the three points.

Report by Matt Hall