An impressive second half display from Bromley saw them defeat the league leaders Halifax Town by five goals and take top spot in The National League in front of over 2,000 fans at Hayes Lane on Saturday.

There had been no indication in the first half that the game would turn this way, but a fired up Ravens team came out in the second period and blew away their opposition with some superbly crafted set pieces, as five different players found the net.

Lining up 4-2-2-1-1 with Adam Mekki behind Michael Cheek in the number 10 role again, Bromley started the game on the front foot, but the final ball was lacking.

The game opened up as it went on with Halifax having spells of pressure also, but neither side could find a way through the oppositions defence.

The swirling rain didn’t help the spectacle as it descended into a series of free kicks and throw ins.

Late in the half the game finally came to life again when Reeco Hackett-Fairchild was played in by Mekki, but the young winger hit the bar with a curling effort from just outside the box.

The second half saw Neil Smith’s side looking far more positive, Mekki had an effort saved after a slip by Niall Maher and Chris Bush saw an effort blocked in the line from a corner, before the break through came on 53mins when Luke Coulson’s corner was only cleared as far as Mekki who hit a superb dipping volley from 20yards out which dropped into the net just under the crossbar giving Sam Johnson no chance.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 when another Coulson corner was headed home by Hackett-Fairchild, who then nearly made it three soon after with a shot that just went over.

With The Shaymen looking stunned, the third goal came just after the hour mark when Hackett-Fairchild turned provider, his free kick finding Bush in acres of space to head home at the near post for 3-0.

Coulson then had a shot saved by Johnson, before the game swung even further into Bromley’s favour when Jerome Binnom-Williams was show a second yellow for a foul on Josh Rees and Halifax were reduced to ten men.

The fourth goal was the first to come from open play when debutant Rarmani Edmonds-Green played in Coulson who crossed for Rees to turn the ball in at the near post despite Johnson bravely diving at his feet.

Halifax had a brief spell of pressure from there, but the home defence was up to the challenge, keeping the Shaymen at bay and it was Bromley who finished stronger.

Adrian Clifton fired just wide and Hackett-Fairchild was denied by Johnson before the fifth and final goal came in injury time when Clifton had a header from a Sam Wood cross saved, but Joe Kizzi was on hand to bundle home the rebound.

Just before the final whistle Halifax had their first attempt on goal in the match, but Daye Southwell fired over from the edge of the box.

This was a huge win for Bromley and considering that they were missing Raymond, Bingham, Higgs and Okoye it’s an even more impressive victory, showing the strength in depth of Smith’s squad.

The Ravens now take on Stockport County at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night looking to stay top of the National League.

Bromley: Huddart, Kizzi, Wood, Bush, Holland, Coulson, Rees (Henry 83), Hackett-Fairchild, Mekki (Edmonds-Green 70), Klass, Cheek (Clifton 73). Subs Not Used: Dunne, Najia.

Halifax: Johnson, Allen, Clarke, Duckworth (Hanson 73), Maher (Southwell 68), Nolan, Sho-Silva, Staunton, Cooper, McAlinden (King 68), Binnon-Williams. Subs Not Used: Appleyard, Earing.