As the National League season approaches its’ final month of a campaign like no other before it, Bromley are sat on the edge of the play off zone on a great run of form with eight more games to play, three at home and five away.
Since taking over as manager in late March Andy Woodman has overseen two draws, followed by three consecutive wins that have left The Ravens on 52 points from 34 matches, level on points with Notts County and Chesterfield.
But for the two defeats either side of Neil Smith’s sacking on 24th March, The Ravens have been in excellent form over the last two months and have found the consistency required to make a challenge for the top seven. They have also picked up the knack of scoring late goals rather than the curse of conceding them.
Woodman has started to make additions to the squad as things progress with left back Charlie Fox signing over Easter and loanees Alex Mitchell and Tate Campbell joining on loan from Millwall and Birmingham City respectively last week.
Under 23s coach Roger Johnson has joined the first team management set up to work alongside Woodman & Alan Dunne, all of whom have hundreds of Football League games under their belts as players. Woodman has set an in house points target for his team, which they remain on course for following the 2-1 win at Chesterfield last weekend.
The 4-3 win away at Woking aside, Bromley have looked stronger at the back despite terrible problems with injuries, which as seen centre back pairing Byron Webster and Jack Holland ruled out. Chris Bush has thrived in the role of captain, youngsters Jude Arthurs and Liam Vincent have grabbed their opportunities to play in midfield and James Alabi is justifying the faith shown in giving him more game time up front.
The Ravens also have the vital asset of striker Michael Cheek, currently the National League’s top scorer with 21 if you include the two he scored against Dover on the opening game of the season.
Next up for Bromley is a trip to sixth place Halifax Town on Saturday, followed by home games against Chesterfield (seventh) & league leaders Hartlepool Utd.
This is followed by four straight away games at Torquay Utd (third), Wealdstone, Notts County (eighth) and Aldershot, before the regular season ends with a home game against Notts County on 29th May, when there is a possibility of fans returning to Hayes Lane, if the Government Road Map continues in the right direction.
Should Bromley make it to the play offs scheduled for June, they will then be within three fixtures of the Football League, which is owner Robin Stanton-Gleaves’ stated aim for the club. For those of us who remember the struggles at the foot of Ryman League Division One at the turn of the century it’s quite hard to take it all in!
Picture supplied by Ed Boyden Photos.