Bromley extended their unbeaten start to the 2025-26 League Two season with a 2-1 victory away at Cheltenham.
Omar Sowunmi fired Bromley into a 14th-minute lead from Mitch Pinnock’s cross, before his 71st-minute foul allowed Michael Cheek to net their second goal from the penalty spot – just over a hour after he was crowned as PFA League Two’s Players’ Player of the Year and named in the 2024-25 PFA League Two Team of the Season.
Josh Martin netted a 73rd-minute consolatory strike for Cheltenham who remain winless in the league this season.
Bromley now sit seventh in League Two and are still unbeaten this season, whilst Cheltenham sit rock bottom and the only team without a point this season.
Reeling from their controversial 2-2 draw at home to Fleetwood last time out, Bromley quickly hit the front foot as Cheek dragged a fourth-minute shot wide, before his header was flapped behind by Joe Day seven minutes later after he met Pinnock’s cross.
Andy Woodman’s Ravens however didn’t have to wait too long to break the deadlock as a neat fast-flowing series of quick passes fell for Pinnock to cross towards the left post, which saw Sowunmi unmarked to slide in the opening goal.
Cheltenham soon found their feet as Luke Young curled a free-kick onto the left post before Grant Smith denied Ethon Archer and Jacob Mazionis.
Smith again protected Bromley’s lead with a 35th-minute save to deny Jordan Thomas’ shot from hitting the roof of the net, as the hosts finished the half on top but without an equaliser.
Cheltenham continued their momentum early in the second half as Archer and Thomas saw shots denied, whilst George Miller saw a 63rd-minute shot tipped over the bar by Smith.
Cheek proved to be Bromley’s best chance of doubling their lead but he saw a shot blocked just three minutes after the break, before he dragged two further shots wide.
Bromley’s resilience paid off in the 71st minute after Sowunmi was fouled in the box by Mazionis during a corner-kick, which allowed Cheek to smash the penalty down the middle as he equalled Butch Dunn’s 132 goals to become joint top goalscorer in the Ravens’ post-amateur era.
Cheltenham however reduced their deficit just two minutes later as Martin latched onto a loose ball with a ruthless strike into the top right corner, which marked the Robins’ first league goal of the campaign.
Bromley almost wrapped up victory in the 84th minute after substitute, Jude Arthurs teed up Cheek but Day blocked his shot, before James Wilson kept Cheek’s second attempt out.
The visitors eventually survived eight minutes of injury time to extend their unbeaten competitive run to nine matches stretching back to mid-April 2025, during which they beat Cheltenham 3-0 at home on the final day of last season.
What’s Next?
Cheltenham are back in action on Saturday 23 August at 3pm BST, as they host Barnet at Whaddon Road.
Bromley will too be in action at the same time on the above date as they face a tough trip to Notts County at Meadow Lane.
Teams
Cheltenham: Joe Day, Darragh Power (Angol 72′), James Wilson, Jacob Mazionis, Arkell Jude-Boyd, Liam Kinsella (Broom 64′), Luke Young, Ethon Archer, Jordan Thomas, George Miller, Jake Bickerstaff (Martin 64′)
Substitutes: Mamadou Diallo, Arkell Jude-Boyd, George Harmon, Ryan Broom, Harry Tustin, Josh Martin, Lee Angol
Bromley: Grant Smith, Deji Elerewe, Omar Sowunmi, Idris Odutayo, Marcus Ifill (Webster 81′), Ashley Charles (Arthurs 59′), Will Hondermarck, Mitch Pinnock, Ben Krauhaus (Thompson 59′), Nicke Kabamba (Dinanga 59′), Michael Cheek
Substitutes: Sam Long, Ben Thompson, Marcus Dinanga, Byron Webster, Jude Arthurs, Sam German, Brooklyn Ilunga