A brace from Will Hondermarck gave Bromley a 2-0 victory over Grimsby Town. They maintained their unbeaten record at Hayes Lane and also ensured they finished 2025 at home on a high.
Andy Woodman made two changes to the team that won 1-0 at Crawley last weekend, all of them coming in the backline. Kyle Cameron, and Marcus Ifill were the duo that came into the starting 11.
BROMLEY STARTING 11: Grant Smith; Deji Elerewe, Kyle Cameron, Idris Odutayo, Marcus Ifill; Ashley Charles, Ben Krauhaus, Will Hondermarck (85) , Corey Whitley (80), Mitch Pinnock (76) ; (C) Michael Cheek (77) .
SUBS: Sam Long; Byron Webster, Lakyle Samuel; Ben Thompson (80), Jude Arthurs (85), Brooklyn Illunga (76) ; Nickie Kabamba (77).
David Artell made three changes to a Grimsby side that are in desperate need of a victory. Jamie Walker and Justin Amaluzor were a couple of the adjustments made by Artell. The final change is one that happened on Saturday morning when goalkeeper Jackson Smith was confirmed to have joined on a seven day emergency loan, he came would start in net.
GRIMSBY TOWN STARTING 11: Jackson Smith; Sam Lavelle (60), Douglas Tharme, Cameron McJannet, Harvey Rodgers; George McEachran, Jamie Walker (81), Kieran Green, Charles Vernam (80), Justin Amaluzor (80); Jaze Kabia (75).
SUBS: Charlie Kasper; Tyrell Warren; Evan Khouri (81), Clarke Odour, (80) Darragh Burns (80), Jude Soonsup Bell (75); Danny Rose. (60).
The Mariners came into this game with no win in their last seven League Two matches, drawing three and losing four of them. Since they 3-2 lost to Crewe on October 25th, only Bristol Rovers (0) have picked up less points than Grimsby. In contrast, Bromley have been in scintilating form with four wins in their last five matches, the only defeat being a 3-1 loss at Walsall on November 29th.
The Ravens did lose both matches last season to today's opponents however, losing 1-0 away, and 2-0 at home. A win for Grimsby today would end a two match losing streak against teams from the capital, the last time they suffered any longer was in October 2008 where they lost four matches.
The first attempt of the match came from the visitors, a cross by Charles Vernam was headed on by Jaze Kabia, but he was unable to get any power behind it.
A wonderful team move saw Bromley opening the scoring in the 12th minute, Mitch Pinnock's volley cross was headed back across goal by Deji Elerewe before Hondermarck tapped the ball in from a couple yards out.
Grimsby nearly responded immediately when a cross caused a goalmouth scramble, captain Kieran Green got his toe on it but there was no power on the effort.
The visitors had been having much more of the ball compared to Bromley since the goal, however they had not threatened Grant Smith yet.
Kyle Cameron's last ditch tackle denied Jeze Kabia from having a golden chance to equaliser, the Mariners striker ran in behind but Cameron managed to slide in right before Kabia could take the shot.
Right at the end of the first half. another Grimsby corner caused issues in the box for Bromley though once more, no one was able to challenge Smith's goal.
Greene had the first effort of the second half, his low effort from a wide angle was claimed by Grant Smith.
It was 2-0 to Bromley ten minutes into the second half, a solo run from Marcus Ifill allowed him to drill a low cross into the box which was turned home from close range by Will Hondermarck for his brace.
Artell's side had been unable to create any sort of scoring opportunities 60 minutes despite having the larger share of possession up to that point.
The Mariners nearly imploded and threw any chance of getting a result completely when Corey Whitely picked off an awful clearance from Grimsby, Jackson Smith got back to get a hand to it but whether it went over the line is another question.
Hondermarck was looking for his hat-trick, he had a long range attempt which flew over the stands and out of the ground.
He then made a stunning solo run with the ball, beating everyone, but he was unable to curl his shot into the bottom corner.
2-0 was how it finished, Grimsby had much more of the ball but could not create any sort of dangerous opportunites. The win ensured that Bromley would also be in the automatic promotion spots at Christmas.
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