Bromely secured promotion in front of a 23,374-strong crowd at Wembley in a dramatic fashion.  

The tie went the distance, with penalties needed to separate the two sides who have never competed in the EFL. It was Bromley who took the lead on two occasions, but the Moors didn’t lie down easily as they pegged the South London side back. 

Captain Bryon Webster sent the 15,000 Bromley supporters into bedlam, writing himself into Bromley folklore as the hero who secured EFL football for the club. 

  • Story of the Match

Bromley made just the one change to the side that defeated Altrincham last weekend in the semi-final, as Ben Khrahaus dropped out of the squad through injury with Louis Dennis replacing him in the starting eleven. 

Solihull Moors named an unchanged side from the team that ran out emphatic victors over 2nd placed Barnet in the semi-finals. 

It was Bromley who began the brighter and it took just 90 seconds for the Ravens to create their first chance of the final. Dennis curled an effort just wide of the post from 25 yards out. The Ravens continued to knock on the door when Idris Odutayo attempted an ambitious effort from the edge of the penalty area, just a minute later. 

The South London club were controlled and dominant in the early exchanges with the game looking as if it was only heading in one direction. 

As the first half started to unfold, Solihull Moors began to weather the storm. Bromley were camped in their half - a complete juxtaposition to the opening ten minutes. 

But, Bromley found a way to deal with the pressure and the game quickly became a cagey stalemate. 

The first shot on target came in the 24th minute as an optimistic long-range effort took a deflection comfortably into the gloves of Grant Smith. 

There hadn’t been much to split the two sides in a tight and even affair, but the better chances had fallen the way of Andy Woodman’s men. 

On the verge of halftime, the 15,000-strong Bromley support descended into chaos as Michael Cheek excellently fired the Ravens in front. Corey Whitely played an intelligent ball through to Cheek, who burst into the Solihull box, proving too strong for Alex Whitmore, with Cheek rolling it past Hayes and into the back of the net. 

The Ravens led at halftime and were greeted with a huge roar from their support, the Moors were greeted with boos with improvement needed if they were to make it to the football league. 

The second half began perfectly for the side from the Midlands. Within three minutes of the start of the second half, Andy Whing’s side had brought proceedings back to level terms. Tavhvon Campbell unleashed an effort from range which Grant Smith got down well too. But, Joe Sbarra followed up on the rebound as the few thousand Solihull fans became embroiled in pure euphoria. 

In the 57th minute, Bromley were handed the opportunity to regain the lead as Hayes flew into a challenge, bringing Cheek down in the box. The referee had no doubts and immediately pointed to the spot. The responsibility was bestowed upon top goalscorer Michael Cheek, he was the coolest man in the building and slotted away from twelve yards. 

All of a sudden, the goals were flying in at Wembley with three in the first twenty minutes of the second half. Mr Solihull Moors - captain Jamey Osborne - nailed a stunning finish from 25 yards out, straight into the bottom corner, leaving Smith hopeless as the game was once again brought back to level terms. 

The game was tight, with both sides cautious not to make a mistake as the clock ticked on and on. It was the Moors who were creating the better chances, but Bromley thought they found their winner in the 82nd minute. The Ravens played some sensational football, eventually working it to Dennis on the left of the box who could only strike the side netting. 

A flurry of chances fell to both sides as the final approached its climax. The fourth official indicated an extra seven minutes for either side to find a winner. However, neither side could take advantage of the additional time, as the game headed to extra time. 

The first chance of extra time fell to the Ravens as Arsenal loanee Alex Kirk curled an effort from inside the box high and wide - he really should have done better. 

Woodman’s side continued to knock on the door with a headed effort from Kirk striking the crossbar from a matter of yards out. 

Bromley were creating the best openings during the first period of extra time but failed to find the final bit of quality to send the travelling supporters into disarray. 

The second period of extra time brought with it a total swing in momentum as the Moors began to look the more likely to whirl away victorious. 

However, as the game neared its conclusion, Alex Kirk should have single-handedly killed the game. The second-half substitute should have had a hat-trick and become an immortal in Bromley’s history. With just six minutes to play, he smashed an effort from inside the post, the keeper was beaten with the entire stadium expecting the net to bulge. However, the inside of the post denied him as the ball bounced to safety. Bromley were so close to the EFL. 

Andy Woodman’s side just about edged the game and had the better chances but their inability to finish forced the tie to penalties. 

An incredible penalty shootout sent the Bromley fans into disbelief as their side secured a spot in the football league for the first time in their history. Grant Smith saved the first, with Cheek scoring Bromley’s first, giving the Ravens an early advantage. Smith saved the second, and once again Bromley replied with a goal from the spot. 

Ashley Charles missed for the Ravens. However, Bromley regained their advantage. The Ravens ran out 4-3 victors with who else than captain Bryon Webster firing Bromley to the football league.