Goals from Michael Cheek and Corey Whitely fired Bromley to a 2-0 home win over AFC Wimbledon at Hayes Lane in League Two.
Cheek fired Bromley ahead on a 35th minute counter-attack from Whitely’s pass.
Whitely then sealed a first home win in the fourth-tier with a close-range finish from Danny Imray’s 60th minute pass.
The result left Andy Woodman’s Ravens sat top of League Two ahead of the 3pm kick-offs.
Despite 12 changes between both teams from their midweek Carabao Cup clash won by the Dons, there was a quick start as a Bromley free-kick came to nothing in the second minute.
Grant Smith however spared the Ravens’ blushes less than a minute later as he saved James Ball’s volley shot, before Whitely then forced a save at Wimbledon’s end from Owen Goodman at the bottom-right corner.
The first half subsequently became scrappy in the remainder of the opening half-hour aside from Omar Bugiel’s scruffed shot for Wimbledon in the 27th minute.
That chance was soon punished eight minutes later as Cheek picked Whitely’s pass on a quick counter-attack, with the 32 year-old calmly dispatching his shot into the left corner to the delight of home fans.
Bromley however were forced to grind out their lead until half-time as Wimbledon pressed high, and won a free-kick in the first minute of injury time after Jude Arthurs fouled Matty Stevens.
Josh Neufville latched onto the subsequent headed clearance but volleyed wide via deflection, which ultimately saw Bromley keep hold of their slender lead into the break after Ball fired wide from the consequential corner.
Early in the second half, Wimbledon continued to maintain their pressure with two wasted set-pieces.
Those two chances were punished on the hour mark when Imray broke forward and played a square-ball pass across the box, which found Whitely to turn and smash into the left corner to send the home crowd wild in delight.
Cheek also extended the hosts’ lead with a 73rd minute header from Idris Odutayo’s cross, but his effort landed in Goodman’s hands.
AFC Wimbledon were left on course for just one win in their last 12 league matches on the road, yet almost halved the deficit in the 83rd minute but Kelly’s shot was blocked by Smith who then denied Neufville on the rebound.
Bromley ultimately clung on to make it two wins from two league matches and sit top of the table.
Post-match, Woodman praised his players for producing a workman-like, disciplined, professional performance with a “delighted” clean sheet to boot.
Andy Woodman’s immediate thoughts after today’s win 🗣#WeAreBromley pic.twitter.com/1rahXzVfnh
— Bromley FC (@bromleyfc) August 17, 2024
What’s Next?
Bromley head to Bradford City on Saturday 24 August at 3pm for their first-ever meeting.
AFC Wimbledon meanwhile will be in action at the same time on that date as they visit Cheltenham Town.
Teams
Bromley – Grant Smith, Kamarl Grant, Byron Webster, Callum Reynolds, Idris Odutayo, Cameron Congreve (Dinanga 64′), Ashley Charles, Jude Arthurs, Danny Imray (Sowunmi 78′), Corey Whitely, Michael Cheek (Amantchi 87′)
Substitutes: Sam Long, Omar Sowunmi, Lewis Leigh, Marcus Dinanga, Levi Amantchi, Bes Topalloj, Olufela Olomola
AFC Wimbledon – Owen Goodman, Ryan Johnson, Joe Lewis, Isaac Ogundere, James Furlong (Tilley 78′), Alistair Smith, James Ball (Hippolyte 65′), Jake Reeves, Josh Neufville, Omar Bugiel (Pigott 65′), Matty Stevens (Kelly 65′)
Substitutes: Lewis Ward, John-Joe O’Toole, James Tilley, Callum Maycock, Josh Kelly, Myles Hippolyte, Joe Pigott