Bromley 1 Solihull Moors 0 – Joe Kizzi goal takes Ravens into National League play-off zone

BY MARK DOIG

A 1-0 victory over Solihull Moors pushed Bromley up into the play-off zone.

Joe Kizzi scored the only goal at the end of a week where he felt the lows and highs of football. Seven days earlier he had been sent off harshly against Barnet, which was overturned after an appeal, then against Solihull he had the euphoria of scoring the winner with 12 minutes remaining.

After the same Bromley line up had started for the previous three games, yielding seven points, manager Neil Smith was forced into one change with Chris Bush returning to replace the injured Jack Holland.

It didn’t take long for Bush to prove his value to the team. Adam Rooney got in behind the Bromley defence but the experienced centre-half got back to make a brilliant saving block.

Byron Webster, the Bromley captain, showed that he was also prepared to put his body on the line by making an important block challenge to thwart Jamie Ward.

Jordan Cranston tried his luck from his own half seeing Mark Cousins slightly off his line but it floated wide then at the other end Frankie Raymond struck a free kick from 35 yards but Ryan Boot saved comfortably.

An accidental clash between Tyrone Williams and Courtney Duffus left the Bromley striker needing prolonged treatment including a full kit change and a head bandage. As a result seven additional minutes were played which included the best chances of the half. Duffus was unable to guide a header on target before he was given a great chance by a miscued clearance by Boot. He collected it and took aim but curled it wide of the far post.

There was still time for the visitors to have one last chance but Ward’s shot was deflected wide by Luke Coulson.

Defences were still on top in the second half with clearcut chances at a premium. Michael Cheek was twice unable to get sufficient power on headers to bother Boot before Taylor Maloney shot wide from distance after good work from Duffus.

Bromley continued to probe with Jack Bridge causing problems but their greatest threat looked to be from deadball situations. Raymond slung one in that Boot was happy to tip round the far post and then Coulson’s delivery from the other side caused mayhem in the six-yard box and it bounced around before striking Liam Trotter and rebounding wide.

Substitute Justin Donawa was fouled on the edge of the area, earning Kizzi a yellow card, but Ward’s free-kick struck the Bromley wall and went wide.

However, another Bromley corner resulted in the deadlock being broken. Raymond had to wait for the referee to sort out some pushing and shoving in front of Boot before delivering to the far post where Kizzi lost his marker and headed into the bottom corner.

Solihull looked for an immediate response and Justin Donawa landed a header on the roof of the net and then had a shot deflected wide. Ward drew the first real save of the match out of Cousins with a well-struck shot from 15 yards before Cameron Archer headed over.

Finally, the referee last patience with Ward for his constant dissent and booked him before blowing the final whistle moments later.

That set up everything up for Tuesday night when Bromley entertain league leaders Sutton United, the only team higher than the Ravens in the current form guide.

PHOTO: KEITH GILLARD