Crawley Town 1, Bromley 3: Cheek hits hat-trick as Reds go winless in eight

Scott Lindsey made two changes to the side that gained a point at home to Colchester United on Boxing Day. Harry Forster and Jack Roles dropped to the bench with Gavin Holohan and Ade Adeyemo coming in.

The first bit of action was in the fourth minute, when Josh Flint combined with Adeyemo down the left, but his cross was overhit and went out for a Bromley throw.

Despite battling well in the opening stages, the visitors took the lead with the first shot of the game. Holohan gave the ball away, then Bromley played the ball down the left, with Idris Odutayo crossing and finding Michael Cheek, who guided his header into the top left corner.

Crawley responded well and had their first attempt 22 minutes in, as Charlie Barker fired a strike wide from distance.

Bromley’s game plan was clear from the start: play off their target up front, Cheek and their left winger, Mitch Pinnock, with the two winning a lot of duels in the air.

Just past the half-hour mark, Cheek and Pinnock were involved again, with Cheek using his presence well, laying it wide to Pinnock, but Barker cleared.

Flint went on a mazy run 42 minutes in, as he beat three players, before winning a corner for his side.

The ball was crossed in by Dion Periera, and Charlie Barker rose highest and guided a header across and into the top left corner. The first shot on target for Crawley, and the first goal.

The visitors then instantly went up the other end and nearly grabbed the lead again. Cheek was found in the middle and scuffed his shot, which fell to Corey Whitely at the back-post, but Harvey Davies made an excellent save to keep the score level.

The first half ended with both teams level at 1-1, despite there being very little goalmouth action.

The first chance of the second half came from Bromley, and it was Cheek again who was found after Whitely sprinted down the right, but Cheek’s header was just wide.

Crawley had a great opportunity at a horrendously executed corner from Bromley corner, Adeyemo played through Flint, who could have been one on one, but his touch let him down, and the visitors cleared.

Bromley regained the lead 56 minutes in, and it was Cheek who fired home again. Odutayo fired a shot from distance, which kindly deflected to Cheek who fired home.

Crawley’s first sub came straight after the goal, with Reece Brown being replaced by Harry McKirdy, as Lindsey looked to get his side back level.

Cheek got his hat-trick on the hour mark, as Conroy gave the ball away, Cheek was slotted through, checked back onto his right, and placed his shot into the bottom left corner.

Kabongo Tshimanga, Harry Forster and Jack Roles were introduced, with Geraldo Bajrami, Adeyemo and Holohan being replaced.

Bromley nearly added a fourth with three minutes left, as a Pinnock corner was headed just wide.

Bromley professionally saw the game out as they moved top of the league.

The Reds are back in action on New Year's Day, when they make the trip to North London to face Barnet, with the game kicking off at 15:00.