Bromley manager Andy Woodman has urged his players to keep “putting in a shift” for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Second-half goals from Ashley Charles and Nicke Kabamba saw Woodman’s Ravens maintain their six-point lead at the summit with a comeback 2-1 win at home to Swindon, which saw the Robins drop from second to sixth as Salford became Bromley’s nearest challengers.
Woodman post match praised his team in an interview with Bromley’s YouTube channel for their fearless play despite a nervy first half, having conceded a ninth-minute opener from Fletcher Holman’s tap-in on a controversial break after Michael Cheek had been fouled.
“Absolutely, you know, um I felt we started really brightly. I thought we really looked a threat in every department then we get the goal against us which I felt was a foul on Michael Cheek and then they go up the other end and score. That disappointed me that the referee didn’t give that foul and I’m hoping he looks back at that and realises he’s made a mistake.
“Um, and that was a little bit of a punch in the stomach for us. And I wouldn’t say we struggled, but we got a little bit nervy and rightly so because you don’t want to concede a second because then it’s game over.
“Second half we tweaked a few things. We got the fullbacks a little bit more aggressive, a little bit more higher at the pitch. Um and really just said to the guys, ‘Look, there’s nothing to fear here. You know, don’t play within yourself. You know you’re the better team.’
“And I think we showed that the second half. I thought we were excellent to a man second half. And I thought we should have disappointed we didn’t have another goal at least.”
“Um but you know it’s a really good three-pointer. It’s a home to a big football club. Swindon Town are a big football club. Um you know and we have to respect that and we respect the manager.
“Ian Holloway’s managed at the highest level. So you know for us to get the result today is massive for Bromley.”
Goalkeeper, Grant Smith kept Bromley in the match with first-half saves which left Woodman impressed at his big-match display, as he warned that the whole team need to put in a shift from now on until the end of the season to secure promotion.
“Smith made some big saves first half and they were awkward saves. You know being a goalie myself, there’s moments you just have to time things right. And he was excellent today. Grant’s been excellent all season.
“You know he’s been solid. Um there were some big performances out there. And there has to be big performances from everybody. And we have to have everybody, you know, putting in a shift right the way through now to the end of the season.”
Woodman proceeded to issue a reprimand to everyone at the club that success hasn’t been achieved yet and maintaining focus will be imperative, as he felt that the win over Swindon is just another step closer towards the conclusion of the campaign.
“Uh I have to remind everyone, we haven’t achieved anything yet. And it’s really important we keep that focus because we can celebrate all we want if we achieve something. At the moment, we’ve just won a game of football and put ourselves another game closer to the end of the season.
Charles netted an equalising volley on the rebound less than 30 seconds into the second half which left Woodman confident that they would eventually win, as he reflected on their half-time conversation and belief that their underdog status helps their motivation.
“I said to the guys at half time and I’ve said it so many times, they really got to start believing in themselves. And I get why sometimes they don’t. I do because, you know, we are deemed as the small club. We are deemed as the underdogs. We like that. That’s really good for us.
“But I think what was really important is that I said to him at half time ‘ you whoever scores the next goal and if you score next goal, you’re going to win this.’ And uh I just felt that was us. And once we scored that goal, I just felt we’d sort of start picking up the tempo and steamrolling them a little bit.”
Their winner eventually was fittingly scored by Kabamba with a header a week on from receiving racial abuse in the wake of their goalless draw at Chesterfield, which left the 54-year-old boss chuffed to see the striker immediately back on the scoresheet.
“Absolutely. Nicke’s been brilliant. You know I’m delighted for Nicke. You know what I think about Nicke. I think we all know what we think about Nicke. And for him to get that goal” Fantastic reward for a tricky week, he said.”
This match marked Lakyle Samuel’s third full 90-minute appearance of the season – having previously only completed the whole game in two of his five previous appearances, with Woodman proud of how the 19-year-old full-back has handled the momentous occasion.
“He was fantastic. That boy has been an absolute model pro at this football club. He’s waited his time He’s sat there. He’s trained properly every day, is a credit to his family and he’s credit to Man City and he’s credit to himself.
“He’s a real model pro. Um does extra every day. I’m chuffed for him. He’s waited and waited and waited. Never once moaned and uh today was fantastic.”
This match attracted a sell-out crowd of over 5,000 fans which left Woodman delighted to have delivered a win in front of the club’s largest home attendance in years.
“It’s fantastic. I just hope these guys will turn up Tuesday and then they turn up you know next Saturday when we play again next or whenever it is. You know, we want to keep them coming. There’s something to cheer about this football club and we got to make sure they keep cheering us all the way through to the end.
Bromley next host Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday 27 January in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off at the Copperjax Stadium, with Woodman immediately focused on preparations.
“Absolutely. We’ll be in tomorrow. We’ll be um making sure we dust down the troops and get ready to go again on Tuesday.”