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Since chairman Jerry Dolke has taken over as manager, with assistance from John Myatt and Derek Parnham, the Ravens have won two matches, and there is a belief at the club that a top six finish and promotion into the Ryman League top flight can be achieved at the end of the season.

However, had Croydon taken their many first half chances, then it would have been the Trams celebrating victory.

The Croydon management team of Mick Read and Dave Garland would have been pleased with their sides first half performance, and they got off the blocks quickly when Bromley goalkeeper, Danny Harwood denied Andy Frith after only eighteen seconds on the clock.

Former Bromley player Kris Hollidge was forced off the pitch after only six minutes with a shoulder injury, but four minutes later, Sean Campbell’s over head kick from the edge of the penalty area flew over Harwood’s crossbar.

Jason McKoy had the hosts first chance on goal, after 13 minutes, but he lashed a shot from 22 yards, high and wide.

But the Ravens had McKoy to thank for creating their best chance thirteen minutes later.  John Wilfort, making his 100^th appearance for the Hayes Lane outfit, threaded a pass, via a Croydon player, to McKoy, inside his half. 

McKoy ran with the ball at his feet being tracked by his marker, to the edge of the Croydon penalty area and whipped in a cross.  The ball went over Tony Reid’s head but Adolph Amoako, closely marked, headed narrowly over John Odlum’s crossbar.

Minutes later, Wilfort, playing well in the middle of the park, saw his pop shot from 25 yards take a deflection, narrowly missing the foot of the near post.

But Bromley can count themselves lucky going in at the interval on level terms as Croydon missed five chances in the final seven minutes of the first half.

Craig Dundas’ brought the ball under control before dragging his shot wide of the left upright before his volley a minute later narrowly missed the same post.

Harwood had two bites of the cherry to save Frith’s tricky low shot, and the loyal Bromley shot-stopper managed to keep out James Cecil’s long shot, even though the goalkeeper went to ground on his backside earlier than intended he still recovered well to deny the motivated visitors.

On the stroke of half time, however, Croydon missed their best chance when Campbell’s free header at the near post flew wide.

Just before the hour mark, Wilfort’s right footed shot made Odlum dive low to his right but the ball  rolled narrowly wide of the upright.

The 60^th minute introduction of Paul Vines for Steve Potterill sparked Bromley into life and the move by Dolke, Myatt and Parnham on the bench paid dividends,  once they took the lead three minutes later, Bromley put their stronghold on the game.

Wilfort, back in form, received the ball from McKoy and pulled the ball back to Michael Harney.  The Bromley Common based player headed the ball infront of him before striking a left footed 25 yard drive.  The ball bounced past Odlum who slightly touched the ball, but the shot was just too good for him and went in off the far post.

Harney tried his luck again three minutes later but this time his 25 yard effort was wayward before Croydon skipper Warren Burton’s right footed effort sailed narrowly over Harwood and his crossbar.

Bromley wrapped up the vital three points in the final thirteen minutes.  Harwood’s long clearance saw three Bromley strikers charge towards goal.  Croydon goalkeeper Odlum rushed to the edge of his area to head the ball out of his penalty area.

The ball fell to silver booted substitute Paul Vines, who from outside the D, hooked the ball over the goalkeeper and into the empty net.

Referee, Colin Overall, allowed both teams to express themselves, and although he played over eight minutes of second half injury time, Croydon had a couple of chances during this time.

Croydon substitute Marc Simms struck a superb fierce right-footed drive on the right hand side of the Bromley penalty area.  Harwood flew in the air to his right, but Simms effort curled narrowly wide of the far upright. 

After breaking his leg in April’s London Senior Cup Final and noticing the injury at the beginning  of pre-season training, Myatt has been working hard on his fitness in recent weeks training regularly in the gym.  His hard work and dedication to Bromley’s cause paid off when he played the final nineteen minutes of this victory, adding bite and passion to the middle of the park.

Bromley: Danny Harwood, Steve Potterill (Paul Vines 60), Mark Willy, Paul Kember (John Myatt 71), Colin Luckett, Danny Smith (Capt), Jason McKoy, Tony Reid (Bobby George 85), Adolph Amoako, John Wilfort, Michael Harney.  Subs: Grant Watts, John Butler

Croydon: John Odlum, Kris Hollidge (Mark Waters 6), James Cecil, Luke Milner, Tom Smith, Darren Fox, Sean Campbell (Marc Simms 79), Mark Cecil, Craig Dundas, Andy Frith (Frederic Boateng 66), Warren Burton (Capt).  Subs: Thimoteo Alues, Carlos Sousa

Attendance: 180

Referee: Colin Overall

Assistants: Mr P Kelly and Mr M Foley