Clinical Cheek keeps Bromley in the National League play-off hunt

BY MARK DOIG

Michael Cheek scored the only goal as Bromley beat a spirited Dagenham and Redbridge side at Hayes Lane.

The bedrock of the victory was a superb defensive performance with Chris Bush outstanding.

Both teams had early chances. Dagenham’s Will Wright had a free-kick saved by Mark Cousins, then, at the other end, Frankie Raymond whipped a shot just wide from 20 yards.

After that, the visitors gave Bromley a testing 25 minutes. Paul McCallum’s header was deflected just wide by Bush then Jack Holland made a brilliant defensive headed interception when McCallum was hoping to get on the end of George Saunders’ cross.

Liam Gordon cut in from the left and shot right-footed but Bush made a great block then Matt Robinson made space for himself but his shot was well off target.

Just after the half-hour mark Bromley went ahead. Raymond’s clever ball put Cheek in on goal. For most strikers it would have been no formality but for the league’s leading scorer it was never in doubt and he tucked it unerringly into the bottom corner.

As half-time approached, the Daggers went close when Kenny Clark tricked his way to the byline before finding Wright.

Although Holland blocked his shot it skewed across goal towards McCallum but he had to stretch and couldn’t keep it down and the chance went.

One more opportunity fell to the visitors before the break but Cousins made a brilliant close-range save to deny Angelo Balanta.

Early in the second half, Robinson had an effort deflected wide before Cheek shot wide after good work by Jack Bridge.

Cousins saved from Balanta before a Bromley break was halted when referee Aaron Jackson couldn’t get out of the way and by the letter of the law had to stop the game and award an uncontested drop ball to Bromley. Raymond touched it then fired a shot first time that almost caught out Elliott Justham but he recovered to save at the second attempt.

Raymond then sent over a deep free-kick that Charlie Fox was unable to keep down with a header before Cousins made a smart low save from Balanta.

McCallum headed just wide from Wright’s cross before Bush headed off the line to thwart Mauro Vilhete. McCallum shot straight at Cousins when well placed before drawing an outstanding save from the Ravens goalkeeper.

That turned out to be a defining moment as Bromley finished strongly. Raymond had a shot blocked into the path of substitute James Alabi whose deflected effort was well saved by Justham. Jude Arthurs and Raymond then shot over.

Deep into injury time, Luke Coulson thought that he had been fouled but no free-kick was awarded and as he ran back past the referee he must have said something unprofessional to cause the official to pull out his red card and dismiss him.

Victory kept Bromley in 10th place but just four points outside the play-off places. They now have three away games ahead of them which will be pivotal in their aim to play post season football.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD