The last time MK Dons travelled to Fleetwood Town and beat them was in September 2016: that was the stat in the back of Bromley fans’ minds as they hosted Walsall on the final day.
Yet the Ravens had to do their bit of the permutation to ensure that they would win the League Two title.
Ben Thompson opened the scoring for Bromley, where the home side’s lead was then doubled through Mitch Pinnock. Walsall managed to halve the two-goal deficit soon after as Jid Okeke finished from close range.
But Omar Sowunmi’s trademark header secured the win for the Ravens as they finished the season on 87 points.
Referee Scott Jackson’s final whistle at The Copperjax Community Stadium didn’t initiate immediate jubilation however, since all Bromley eyes were fixated on the result of MK Dons.
Ronan Coughlan’s acrobatic strike for Fleetwood was cancelled out by Calum Paterson in the first half, but an end result of a 1-1 draw proved to be enough to crown Bromley as League Two champions.
Pitch invasions, promotion parties and a subsequent town bus parade all deservedly followed this remarkable triumph that gave captain Byron Webster and CEO Mark Hammond the perfect send off before they leave the club.
So, in a record-breaking season that’s running out of superlatives, here are my winners for Bromley’s end-of-season awards:
After reliving every single one of Bromley’s 79 goals in all competitions this campaign, the main contenders for this award appear to be between the midfielders.
Ashley Charles’ 25-yard free-kick was the bright spot in what was a dismal defeat away to now relegated Barrow.
While Ben Thompson’s half-volley away to Gillingham was a sensational way to secure his hat-trick in Bromley’s 4-1 victory.
Albeit, I would give the award to Jude Arthurs and his volley at home to Wycombe Wanderers in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
It’s very hard to hit a ball cleaner than that and with that level of technique, while the clipping of the underside of the crossbar adds to the satisfaction of the strike.
One of the main reasons why pre-season concerns of ‘second-season syndrome’ existed for Bromley was the departures of wide players Danny Imray and Cameron Congreve.
The return of Mitchell Pinnock soon dissipated that.
Brought in for a grand total of nothing, Pinnock’s two goals and ten assists saw him placed in the EFL League Two Team of the Season.
The left winger/wing-back was also nominated for the EFL’s League Two Player of the Season, but missed out to Swindon Town’s Aaron Drinan.
However, there is no doubt that Pinnock would’ve won the league’s signing of the season as his consistent creative threat was integral in driving Bromley to the League Two title.
It’s easy to forget that this season was Ifill’s first full campaign of senior professional football.
Likewise it’s easy to forget that Marcus Ifill was initially brought in as a right winger.
Now converted to a right back, the 22-year-old has improved significantly as he has become a mainstay in Bromley’s defence.
With seven players playing for Bromley at the age of 21 or under in this League Two campaign, the options for this award were limited.
Yet it’s safe to say that this campaign has demonstrated that Marcus has a bright future ahead of him.
A Boxing Day classic that saw Bromley overturn a two-goal deficit, this performance epitomised the Ravens’ “relentless” mentality that has made them League Two champions.
Goals from Andy Woodman’s favourable “finishers” in Nicke Kabamba and a Ben Thompson brace sparked absolute bedlam in the away end after a 92nd minute winner.
The same reaction was also evident in the gantry, where Bromley FC+’s Matt Hall and Daniel Catlin produced noises synonymous of Gary Neville.
This game, along with Bromley’s 3-1 win away to Crawley three days later, felt like the first time that the fans truly believed that the dream of reaching League One could become a reality.
Do you agree with my choices? If not, then state your case in the comments below:
