FC Halifax Town earned their fourth straight victory at The MBi Shay Stadium after goals from Matty Kosylo and Tom Denton gave the ten-man Shaymen a 2-1 win over Bromley in the Vanarama National League.
Town defender Scott Garner was shown a straight red card for an alleged hand in the face of Brett Williams late in the first half but Halifax responded well to lead through Kosylo’s low shot.
Bromley equalised after the hour mark with George Porter finishing well but Denton’s header in the 70th minute proved enough to give Town a hard-fought three points.
Victory for Billy Heath’s side means that they go back into the play-off places into fourth and sit just a point behind league leaders Sutton United.
Eager to make up for last weekend’s defeat, Town started the game as by far the brighter side with two good chances in first six minutes.
Captain Matty Brown lashed a volley wide of the far post from a Connor Oliver corner before Adam Morgan forced David Gregory into a low stop from the edge of the area.
Town continued to push for the opener and soon after Matty Kosylo’s cross was met by Bromley skipper Danny Holland who rose above Tom Denton yards from the line.
In the 18th minute, Bromley had their first chance on goal as a low driven effort from Adam Mekki forced Sam Johnson into a decent save.
Town continued to dominate proceedings with Adam Morgan coming close from a flick goal wards which was saved well by Gregory.
Halifax thought they had at last broken through when Brown met another Oliver cross but Town’s appeals for a goal were turned away by the referee who didn’t feel the ball had crossed the line with Gregory doing just enough.
With three minutes of the half remaining, Town were dealt a tough blow as defender Scott Garner was shown a straight red card.
Bromley’s numerical advantage saw them start the second period strongly but they could only produce long-range efforts as Adam Mekkie and Frankie Raymond twice shot over from distance.
Town rallied strongly and ten minutes into the half opened the scoring through Kosylo. The winger raced onto Hotte’s through ball before squeezing the ball under Gregory at the far post from a tight angle.
Halifax’s lead wouldn’t last long though as Bromley soon levelled against the run of the play. Substitute Porter robbed Moyo midway inside the Town half before sprinting away and coolly finishing past Johnson.
Kosylo continued to the instigator of Town’s attack and in the 65th minute he forced Gregory into a good stop after cutting inside and beating two defenders.
The winger’s efforts were rewarded soon after as Kosylo dribbled past Wynter before sending a delightful dinked cross over to Denton which was met emphatically by the striker as Town regained their lead.
Bromley’s man advantage saw them have much of the ball in the final stages but Town defended tremendously. Dan Johnson show his speculative long-range shot sail over the crossbar before a couple of minutes later Porter was denied a second by a wonderful Hotte block.
In the final minutes of added time, Bromley continued to push for an equaliser with Williams seeing a shot flash wide from Sutherland’s corner before Porter was denied by an excellent Johnson save.
Town held on for all three points though as they extended their strong form on home soil.
Line-Ups
FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Moyo, Wilde, Garner, Brown, Kosylo, Hotte, Denton, Oliver, MacDonald, Morgan
Subs: McManus, Ben Tomlinson, Tom Nicholson, Lynch, Charles
Bromley: #1. David Gregory, #12. Ben Wynter, #6. Jack Holland ©, #15. Dan Johnson, #8. Frankie Raymond, #16. Tyrone Sterling, #11. Adam Mekki, #17. Luke Wanadio, #4. Josh Rees, #21. Frankie Sutherland, #9. Brett William
Subs: #2. Alan Dunne, #14. Jordan Higgs, #18. George Porter, #7. Iffy Allen, #10. Louis Dennis
Referee: Joseph Johnson
Attendance: 1,760
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