Bromley up to second after Grimsby Town become latest to succumb at Hayes Lane fortress
- By Yann Tear at Hayes Lane
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
League Two
Bromley (1) 2 Hondermarck 12, 55
Grimsby Town (0) 0
It's now seven wins in eight league games for the Ravens, who are now up to second in the table. This is threatening to be a great season for them as the potential to reach new heights as a club becomes clear.
A brace from Will Hondermarck set them up for the win, which ensures they retain the division's only unbeaten home record too. Their no-nonsense organisation and physicality is proving too much for nearly everyone these days.
They are new to the league but learning fast. So fast that a first ever season in League One next season feels a tantalising possibility right now.
The Mariners have already ensured the season will be memorable for them, having defeated Man United in the Carabao Cup, but they know their league campaign needs picking up - having gone seven without a win since early October before today.
Grimsby started off confidently in the lunchtime sunshine but Andy Woodman' side were soon in front. Mitch Pinnock's cross from the left was headed back across goal by Deji Elerewe - scorer of last week's winner at Accrington - for Hondermarck to bundle in from close range. They never looked back.
The visitors remained lively but were kept at arm's length expertly - Kyle Cameron timing a challenge perfectly to prevent Jaze Kabia from scampering though towards Grant Smith. For all their possession and progressive ambitions, Grimsby had little to show for it.
A more direct approach paid dividends for the Ravens and they doubled their lead soon after the break when Marcus Ifill dropped a shoulder to get around a defender and drove down the right before sending in a low cross that was stabbed home by Hondermarck for his second poacher's goal of the afternoon.
Corey Whitely almost made it three with a shot from range when keeper Jackson Smith had advanced off his line, and although the keeper scrambled back, it looked for all the world as though the ball had crossed the line before it was gathered. Home fans were convinced of an injustice.
The decision hardly mattered, however, as Grimsby's challenge faded. Their threat diminished and it seemed more likely that Hondermarck might grab a hat-trick - one run late on ending in a tame final shot before he left the field to warm applause a few minutes before the end.
Bromley will travel in high spirits to lowly Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day.
Ravens: (4-1-4-1) G Smith - Ifill, Elerewe, Cameron, Odutayo - Charles - Whitely (Thompson 80), Krauhaus, Hondermarck (Arthurs 85), Pinnock (Ilunga 76) - Cheek (Kabamba 76)
Mariners: (4-1-4-1) J Smith - Rodgers, Tharme, Lavelle (Rose 62), McJannet - McEachran - Amaluzor (Burns 80), Green, Walker (Khouri 80) Vernam (Odour 80) - Kabia (Soonsup-Bell 75)
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