Andy Woodman has praised Bromley for a “dogged” victory at Tranmere Rovers to move five points clear at the summit of Sky Bet League Two.
Michael Cheek’s brace saw Bromley record their first-ever victory over Tranmere in all competitions, which put them five points clear at the League Two summit because Swindon were scheduled to be in FA Cup action at Salford but their tie was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Woodman post match praised his team for their fighting spirit to grind out a result in what he considered to be a “dogged” performance as he spoke to Bromley’s YouTube channel.
“I didn’t know that, but probably because a lot of those years we were in the lower leagues with um yeah, good result. Um it was a dogged game, a tough game, a game we had to sort of really have a little bit of a battle up probably for most of the game and we stood up to that and credit to the lads.
“They’ve kept a clean sheet and got the three points away from home. Tough game.”
Woodman also noted the determination in his team to get the result as he continued: “Yeah I mean you’re right, it wasn’t a pretty game and it’s one game no one will remember at the end of the season.
“It’s a game that we have to come and deal with. Uh and we have to make sure that we do the dogged stuff. That’s got to be a minimum requirement at any level. Um and I felt we did that really well today.
“Um you know if people want us to come here and make it a lovely, beautiful game then we’ll probably get beat because you can’t come to Tranmere and give them ground and just let them have space. You just can’t do it. Um so you know, credit to everyone in the team. They done exactly what I asked of them today and got the points.”
Cheek’s first goal was Bromley’s earliest goal of the season just two minutes into the match, with Woodman impressed at the style in which they took the lead through the forward’s header.
“Yeah I thought the pressure, we got the ball back, the cross, and then the finish is exactly what we’re about, you know that was pretty much us in a nutshell there. Um it’s always nice to get an early goal then I thought we sort of struggled to get to grips with the game a little bit after that.
“Um and then we sort of went into our own and they didn’t threaten too much.”
Cheek’s second goal came from some poor defensive clearance play by Tranmere but Woodman was eager to draw attention to the whole team’s performance, as he praised the defence and midfield for their roles in the display.
“Yeah, Michael Cheek two goals. Mitch Pinnock assist, you know, they’re the the ones that probably sort of getting the headlines at the moment.
“But I think as a team, you know, two centre-halves were excellent. I thought the midfield were excellent. I thought everyone done their jobs all over the pitch today.”
Both halves saw Bromley control the game to protect their lead and get a clean sheet which left Woodman pleased at their game management.
“Yeah I mean teams are going to do that at the end. They’re going to chuck the ball in the box and probably that’s what we want. You know, that will suit our guys with a team of giants and we’ll, you know, head and clear and keep our heads and be as steady as a ship. And that’s what we did.
“You know, we’re really I thought we defended as a group of players really well. Um and it got us across the line. You know that’s that’s what happens, you know, you got to come to these places and get the clean sheet and get the result.”
Next week sees Bromley head to Chesterfield on Saturday 17 January at 12:30pm GMT in front of Sky Sports cameras, and Woodman doesn’t expect another easy away trip.
“Yeah be a tough game at Chesterfield. We look forward to that.”
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