Andy Woodman hopes Bromley beating Grimsby sent out message to League Two rivals

Andy Woodman set his sights on top spot in League Two as Bromley recorded their seventh win in their last eight league games to move into the top three.

A brace from Will Hondermarck, with goals in either half, saw Bromley record a comfortable 2-0 victory over Grimsby.

Bromley manager Woodman said: “I’m a bit disappointed as we had a blatant goal disallowed and 3-0 would have sent out an even bigger message to the rest of the league. That aside I thought we were really good today, particularly in the second half.”

He added: “I thought we were lacklustre in the first half but we went in 1-0 up and second half we looked more like us.

“On the front foot, closing the opposition down, giving them no room to breathe and putting the balls in the right area.

“Will Hondermarck scored two goals which is all part of his development to becoming the player I think he can become.

“We have a squad of players all hungry to get the shirt and keep others out. It is a healthy position to be in and that’s why we are where we are.”

Bromley took the lead inside 12 minutes as Deji Elerewe reacted quickest to head Mitchell Pinnock’s volleyed cross back across goal and Hondermarck was on hand to poke in.

Kieran Green then missed a golden opportunity to equalise moments later, heading straight at Grant Smith when it seemed easier to score.

An excellent last-ditch tackle by Kyle Cameron prevented Jaze Kabia from hitting the target on the half hour as Grimsby pressed for a way back into the game.

Just as in the first half, Bromley scored early in the second with Hondermarck tapping home 10 minutes after the restart, turning in Marcus Ifill’s cross.

Bromley were denied a third when Pinnock’s shot from distance appeared to be dragged over his line by Jackson Smith but the officials remained unmoved amongst the celebrations.

Grimsby manager David Artell said: “Goals change games. I thought we started well in the opening 15 minutes but we gave Bromley two goals from nothing, through failures to win first and second contacts in the penalty area when it mattered. The performance on the whole was OK, but ultimately goals change games.”

He added: “We have to start taking our chances more at one end and stop conceding at the other, that’s the bottom line. We knew what Bromley’s threat was from set pieces and second phases but we still gave goals away from the exact thing we worked on. We didn’t execute and that’s down to not heeding the basics of defending. Ultimately we needed to do better in both boxes on the day.”