COREY LIFTS THE RAVENS
ABRILLIANT Corey Whitely double got Bromley back to winning ways as the Ravens consolidated their hold on second place in the National League.
Two excellent strikes either side of half-time was enough for Bromley to get the three points and extend the gap between themselves and fourth place Solihull Moors.
Both sides finished with 10 men after Bromley’s Besart Topalloj and Halifax striker Adan George were sent off in the fifth minute of added time but it didn’t dampen the spirits of Ravens boss Andy Woodman.
“Intensity was the word today and the boys showed that immediately with two corners in the first minute,” he said.
“It was a bit more like us although it still took two stunning strikes to win the game. Even if we had lost today I saw far more today that was more like us and that’s what will hold us in good stead going forward.”
Bromley just about edged a scrappy first half with Michael Cheek coming closest to mopening the scoring with a cross-cum-shot which just eluded Alex Kirk’s outstretched leg.
It took until the 35th minute for the game to come to life. Olufela Olomola’s header was tipped on to the crossbar by Halifax keeper Sam Johnson and from Bromley’s next attack they took the lead. A loose ball fell to Whitely 25 yards out and the midfielder produced a stunning half-volley that beat Johnson all ends up.
One nearly became two moments later but Callum Reynolds saw his toe-poked effort cleared off the line.
Bromley came out of the traps quickly in the second half and doubled the lead with their first attack of the half. Cheek tried to power his way through the Halifax
defence and when the ball fell to Whitely on the edge of the 18-yard box he curled an unstoppable first time effort into the roof of the net.
Halifax could and perhaps should have had an equaliser just before the hour but George planted a free header wide when it seemed easier to score.
It was Bromley though that always looked likely to trouble the scorers further. Ben Krauhaus crashed a volley against the underside of the crossbar but they didn’t need the added buffer of a third goal as the saw out the match with minimum fuss.
A stoppage-time tussle resulted in referee Callum Winchester dismissing both Topalloj and George were sent off for what appeared to be dissent.
Shaymen boss Chris Milllington said: “It was disappointing to lose but take nothing away from Bromley they scored two brilliant goal then did what they do. They get the ball forward quiuckly and go back to front quickly then they hit you with the physicality of their team. It is a successful system and today they did what they do better than what we do.”
STAR MAN: Corey Whitely (Bromley) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Callum Winchester