Bromley 1 Walton & Hersham 0

This game was dedicated to the memory of Bromley Supporter Chris Small who died just before Christmas at the tragically young age of 29, writes Colin Head.

His life was honoured before the kick off with a minutes applause observed by both sides and it was somewhat fitting that the Bromley players should end their winless run on this day of all days with a display of determined defending and hard work.

Bromley started on the front foot with Walton & Hersham goalkeeper Ricky Perks scooping a Gary Drewett header over the bar.

As Bromley pressed they had a shout for hand ball in the box turned down and the excellent Des Boateng hit a shot just wide.

As the half progressed Walton pushed Broend very quickly. Going into the break Mark Tompkins shot just wide and then on 42 minutes former Gillinham player Jones Awuah was dragged to the ground by Neil Lampton as he broke into the box and after seeing no advantage Referee Mr Holderness awarded a penalty. Colin Luckett coolly stepped up and scored with the spot kick.

The second half was hard work mley back into their own half for a spell and the game then went from end to for both Bromley’s players and supporters apart from a few promising breaks The Ravens found themselves pinned right back defending for long periods and holding on to the lead.

On a rare early attack Awuah and Tompkins combined well, but Awuah’s shot was comfortably saved by Perks.

Bromley's Andy Walker made three great saves from Lampton, Will Jenkins and Wes Goggins.

With 15 minutes left George Wakeling brought on defender Joe Vines for Awuah and left Tompkins up front on his own who worked incredibly hard holding the ball up and was probably man of the match.

As Bromley lifted the pressure for a spell Sam Wood made a welcome return from injury and provided an extra threat down the left. The closest Bromley came to extending their lead was when Tompkins headed wide from a corner, but they spent the final minutes successfully defending a series of set pieces and once Lampton had shot just wide the three points were confirmed for Bromley and the nine game run without a win was finally broken.

Bromley, now in 15th place, tackle fourth placed local rivals Fisher Athletic at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night (7:45pm).

Bromley: Walker, McLeod, Luckett, Willy, Henriques, Boateng, Carroll, Drewett, Tompkins, Awuah, Gardner. Subs: Vines, Wood, Carew, Harding, Feumba