12/08/2024 13:21
Bromley enjoyed a dream start to life in the Football League after battling to a hard-fought win at Harrogate Town on the opening weekend of the new season.
The Club, which is backed by local Bristol Street Motors dealerships in Bromley and Orpington, secured promotion to the EFL for the first time back in May after defeating Solihull Moors on penalties at Wembley in the National League play-off final.
Bromley’s first game as a league side came against a Harrogate side that had been promoted via a similar route four years earlier, beating Notts County in the play-off final back in 2020.
Both sides had half chances in the opening 45 minutes although it was the visitors who created the better opportunities – with Cameron Congreave breaking forwards and firing just wide before Kamal Grant saw his shot bounce up and over the bar.
Bromley hit the front after the break in somewhat fortuitous fashion, with a driven shot from Idris Odutayo flying into the net after hitting Michael Cheek – the veteran forward with more than 300 club starts to his name – on the chest and deflecting in.
Within ten minutes, the lead was doubled as Grant rose highest to head a corner from Jude Arthurs beyond the ‘keeper and into the net.
Harrogate struggled to make much of an impact going forwards, although Grant Smith would make a late save to help wrap up the points to send Bromley into their first EFL Cup fixture on a high.