Angels and Ravens

Following an excellent last gasp win over Sutton on Saturday there was frustration midweek as the game as Basingstoke was called off just prior to kick off after torrential rain flooded the pitch at Camrose. A tough one to take for all the staff and fans who had made the long Tuesday night journey into Hampshire only to be turned back on arrival. 

Hasting keeper Josh Pelling had been signed on dual registration for this game to cover Seb Brown’s suspension, but we now head in to the FA trophy game at Tonbridge Angels this weekend with one time reserve custodian Paul Agu seemingly set to play for the first time this season. We’ve had a little more success in this competition in recent times after what had been a desperately poor record previously. Whether we give it a go this season will remain to be seen as promotion is the priority and games against The Angels are always very closely contested.     

This game is quickly followed by a home London Senior Cup game V Corinthian Casuals next Tuesday with the added incentive of a home game against AFC Wimbledon waiting in the next round.   

We sit second in the table going into December six points behind Boreham Wood with two games in hand, but also with Gosport and Ebbsfleet (who have just sacked Steve Brown) on our tail and another dozen or so teams close behind. If any team can find a decent run of form then the league is up for grabs heading towards the New Year. 

We have the squad, the support and the backing so hopefully we’ll be at least in the play offs spots as it heats up into 2015 and hopefully in one or both of the cup competitions after the next two games.         

Another Big Game on Saturday

After the incredible FA Cup match against Dartford where over 4,000 packed in Hayes Lane  to see us lose 4-3 and then the disappointment of a home defeat in the league to 1-0 Hemel after playing with no recognised keeper and ten men for over 45minutes we got things back on the right path with a solid 2-1 win at Hayes & Yeading Utd on Saturday. Moses Ademola & PJD both notched again showing their value to the team and confirming they must start every game, with their tireless effort and the magic touch in front of goal. 

Of all the summer acquisitions Moses has proved to be the most valuable, while others with bigger reputations and everything that goes with that have failed to contribute the 25year old winger/striker has rarely put a foot wrong. PJD once again looks to be heading for a 20+ goal season from midfield and it’s somewhat surprising that a bigger club hasn’t lured him away with such consistency in his quality of performance. Reece Prestedge another close season buy has proved his worth whenever started and it’s quite a selection problem for MG to have three central midfielders all playing so well with Danny Waldren and Ali Fuseini also on the top of their game right now. 

With recent striking recruit Duncan Culley already scoring twice on his loan spell at Hampton, the light of scrutiny is shining on Adam Burchall and Jamie Slabber who have both failed to find any form so far this season and look to be struggling to recapture the game they once had. There is a massive back catalogue of strikers with big reputations who have joined Bromley in the past and then failed to deliver, let’s hope for the club’s sake these guys, both on two years deals, can turn it round.

At the other end of the pitch Seb Brown now faces a one match ban for the FA Trophy game at the end of November after his red card V Hemel. After a poor second half against Dartford the ex-AFC Wimbledon custodian has had a tough week. The acid test will be of MG choses to play one game with Paul Agu in goal or bring in someone else on loan, which would put Brown under pressure for his place in the team.                                 

Next up we host old rivals Sutton United on Saturday, there is always an extra added something when we play the amber & chocolates and this one will be no different. Sutton recorded the double over us last season and were up in the play off spots, this campaign has been tougher for them so far, but I’m sure they will still be a tough prospect. With former United players Jamie Slabber and Damien Scannell set to be in the squad for The Ravens it could be an excellent time for one or both of these players to win the hearts of the Bromley fans with a goal and performance against their old employers.   

First Round Fever!

Saturday sees another big FA Cup game at Hayes Lane as we entertain local rivals Dartford in the First Round Proper. In recent years we have been spoiled with success in this competition reaching the First Round five times under Mark Goldberg’s management, having only got through once in 25 years previously.

We’ve got past three rounds and played four games on the journey to this game whilst The Darts have just had to play once, but despite our visitors being in a higher division there are technically only eight league places currently between us. With the added spice of a local derby and no love lost between the sides in recent encounters this should be a cracking game.

Ticket sales have gone well so far, with 350 sold by Thursday morning, prices have been sensibly kept to the usual structure and you will be able to get in on the day. I can see there being well over 3,000 packed into HL for this one, so fingers crossed Bromley won’t freeze as they have done in front of big crowds before. Every time we’ve had over 800 at home this season we have failed to perform, but the team looks stronger and more determined in recent weeks so let’s hope they can shake off the nerves and get a result, which would take us through to the Second Round for the first time since the 1940’s. This would be a much deserved reward for the unsung heros behind the scenes and the hardcore fans.                

If I was going to place a bet I’d go for a draw and a replay at Princes Park, which given our away form wouldn’t be a disaster.  

Up For The Cup

After a blank weekend due to the demise of Salisbury City, we travelled up to Bishop Stortford on Tuesday night and battled out a 1-1, with new signing Jordan Robertson scoring just before half time. Robertson looks to be a good signing and if he continues to in the same vein probably heading off to league football come January, which is why we got him on contract so quickly. 

Elsewhere we still seem no nearer to knowing what our strongest line up is, defensively we miss Rob Swaine and our frailties at set pieces are obvious, while the omission of Moses Ademola is baffling given his consistently good performances either up front or on the wing. Pierre Joseph-Dubois is struggling to find a place in the side, yet Adam Birchall and Jamie Slabber are constantly given more chances to justify their two year contracts despite struggling to find form. Duncan Culley also looks to be a good acquisition, but is probably too similar to Robertson to play with him. Maybe apart from in defence we just have too much choice!            

Saturday sees Bromley back in FA Cup action as they travel to Mill Field, the ground of Aveley FC, to face Grays Athletic in the Third Qualifying Round. The last time we met Grays was in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round back in October 2006, they were flying high in the Conference Premier while we were heading for promotion vis the play offs from Ryman League Premier Division. Amazingly that  day we beat a team containing a number of players who now play in the premier & football league by two goals to one, thanks to a brace from Lloyd Blackman.   

Circumstances have changed since then, with Grays having lost their own ground and taken voluntary relegation due to financial problems, they now challenge at the top of the Ryman Premier, while we sit just off the play offs in Conference South. 

It’s hard to call who will be favourites going into the game, Grays are having a good season with Freddie Ladapo in prolific form up front, while The Ravens have indifferent form, but are unbeaten on the road. My money is probably on a replay if we can sort out our defensive issues from set pieces and get the ball to our forwards in good areas. 

    

The Magic of the Cup

On Saturday Bromley begin their FA Cup campaign against Uxbridge, who have already won through two rounds to be here.   

There was a time when the FA Cup came with added pressure, and early departure from the competition would mean inevitable cuts in the playing budget and high profile departures from the squad. Last season saw an end to that, as the owners were able to keep funding the team an despite our early exit at the hands of Heybridge Swifts, we stayed together and made the play offs. This season if the worst should happen on Saturday there looks like there will be no financial need for the scythe to fall again, although Mark Goldberg may well be tempted to send a few packing out on loan purely based on performance.  

Uxbridge are currently in Southern League Division One Central, two levels below us, with nine points from as many games, but after stuttering past Burgess Hill and then the Heybridge loss last season we know that means very little. We have struggled at home so far this season, especially on Saturdays, but a good win this weekend would really help lift the spirits and keep the punters turning up in good numbers as they have so far, with the average crowd at over 800 this season.

We have met Uxbridge many times before in our Ryman League Division One days a decade ago, the most memorable in my mind being a 1-0 win in November of 2001, when Gary Drewitt curled in a superb effort on his debut to secure the club’s first win of the season.

I’d take a single goal victory again on Saturday to keep us in the grand old competition and the club moving forwards. After a week of near hysteria on forum and social media hopefully a united front and vocal support will help the players to do the trick and us all focusing back on what really matters.            

Changing Times at Hayes Lane

As we come towards the end of August Bromley sit nicely in third place with ten points from five games, playing some good football and finally a couple of the strikers are settling in. Moses Ademola has been outstanding up front and on the wing as have all the midfielders and defence. There is grounds for optimism that we will be challenging at the top again this season with an extra strength in depth in the squad this time.

Away from the playing side it’s a time of change at Hayes Lane. With the new ownership we have seen lots of new initiatives in an attempt to attract more supporters to home games, including Family Fun Days, Pimms Tent, £4.50 Brioche Burgers, cheerleaders, a ‘pumping PA’ and new corporate hospitality marquee. The Garvo Lounge has been replaced by a disco which blasts out power rock pre and post-game, so  loud you can’t even chat to the person next to you, and Cray Wanderers have had their boardroom and club shop bulldozed for the new dining facilities and there are plans for a scoreboard!    

For an old non-league boat like myself a lot of it leaves me cold, a bit confused and slightly worried, but they want to bring in a new cliental to BFC and that is their right to do so as owners. The 150 hardcore who saw the club through the darkest of times will show up no matter what, unless the changes get too outrageous of course, but the new punters will come down expecting success and entertainment which creates it’s own problems if it’s not immediately forthcoming in today’s impatient times.   

We aren’t talking Vincent Tan style madness here like we have seen at Cardiff City, although they have changed the kit to all white, but some things are a little strange for a Bromley fan of 37 years standing. I would like to see Cray treated better, but that’s family thing for me. I will watch with interest what happens from here.                   

Mark Goldberg and Co. have done a solid job so far in building a side that will challenge and entertain, which for me is the most important thing. If Bromley win games the public show up as has been proved in the past, if we don’t they won’t, no matter what else is going on at the ground.    

I really don't want to sound ungrateful the new owners have invested large to try and ensure they take the club to the next level And are also  building brand new training facilities to help this. It's worth remembering a few years ago we were playing in front of just over 100, two leagues below and facing extinction. The club has come a long way and it s quite a lot to take in. 

Great Expectations

The league season finally got under way with a stylish 3-1 win at Havant and was followed up by another great 4-1 win at home to Steve King's well funded Whitehawk. 

After a lengthy seven game pre-season that saw us notch wins away at Dulwich, Whyteleafe and Beckenham, while we entertained league opposition at home losing to Dagenham & Gillingham, drawing with Swindon and Charlton and defeating Palace. All of which were well attended and saw Family Fun days launched for the last two Saturday fixtures.       

We suffered a real blow losing Sam Long for the season with a serious knee injury, but were able to bring back in Ugo Udoji as a more than capable replacement. The new strikers have struggled to find any form as yet, but they have been helped out by the form of goal scoring midfielders Moses Ademola & Pierre Joseph-Dubois, with Moses playing as a striker in recent games. If either Slabber, Scannell, Higgins or Birchall do find their feet we could have a real threat up front. The other new boys have settled in really well Reece Prestedge is a class act in midfield along with Harry Grant a threat on the wing and Seb Brown is starting to look the keeper he once was at AFC Wimbledon.       

It’s still very early days but there is an optimistic buzz around Hayes Lane that we will be up with Ebbsfleet & Sutton pushing for promotion again in April, let’s hope that does prove to be the case.   

We've been treated to some of the best football and goals I have ever seen from a Bromley side in recent times, when you consider where we were only a few years ago it's a remarkable turn around.