Andy Woodman has urged Bromley to be a “difficult” team to beat at Kent rivals, Gillingham in a huge Sky Bet League Two clash.
Woodman’s Ravens currently sit six points clear of second-placed MK Dons at the summit of League Two, but face a tricky test away to Gillingham tomorrow (31 January) as the Gills sit 18 points behind them in 13th position and only eight points off the play-off spots.
The 54-year-old manager therefore feels that his team must be wary of Gillingham as he explained in his pre-match interview, especially after they controversially snatched a late 2-2 draw at the Copperjax Stadium in September, after Garath McCleary fooled referee – James Durkin through simulation to win a penalty which Max Clark converted.
“I think look I say many times Gillingham are a much bigger club than us for a much bigger fan base, a much bigger budget, um a manager that’s worked at the highest level almost and you know they’re a good club, um they’re probably not where they should be in the table but they’re picking up so we got to be wary of that and it’s going to be a tough game.
“I mean look it was a tough game here last time with a little controversial penalty at the end but um we’ve got to go down there, make sure we’re rock solid and um we’re a difficult outfit first and foremost to beat and then secondly we really go on the front foot and make sure we go and take care of our business.”
Woodman added that the Kent Derby is a match which both clubs probably relish in a David vs Goliath like manner, such is the difference in club’s stature.
“Yeah, I think the Gillingham game is a fixture probably both clubs look at and quite look forward to and probably more us than Gillingham because they’re the big club and we’re the smaller club. Um so, it’s a game that our fans will go down to and probably gives us a load of support like they normally do in numbers.
“Um it’s a fixture I look forward to because I’ve always liked going to Gillingham as a football club. Um but it’s business as usual. We want to go down there and get the points.”
Bromley however will have ex Gillingham loanee, Zech Medley amongst their squad after the defender joined on loan from Fleetwood until the end of this season, with Woodman pleased to have secured a replacement for Deji Elerewe who had left to join Lincoln City.
“Yeah, Zech’s someone I’ve known from when he was a young boy at Arsenal. Um, a very good player. Um, big, tall, strong centre half. Um, losing Deji, we obviously needed to replace another player in there. Um, so he’s coming to our club and hopefully help us get across the line towards the end of the season.
“Give us a little bit of steel at the back of the back of the pitch.”
Bromley however head into their local clash off the back of conceding a late equaliser in their 2-2 draw at home to Crewe Alexandra in midweek, with Woodman reflecting that the Railwaymen deserved their point but was glad that his team remained unbeaten at home.
“Yeah, I think when you concede the last minute goal kind of uh you feel like it’s a loss. Um but I think on reflection credit to Crewe, I thought they were very good on the night and we probably weren’t at our best in certain moments of the game.
“Um I think we have got to look at this as over the two games, four points taken and that’s the positive. Um and still not beaten at home. So um you know now the dust settled you know we’re not going to win every game as I said and um we got to move on very quickly.”
Corey Whitely and Ben Thompson twice put Bromley in front in that game but Woodman was left happy with the quality and type of goal, which marked a contrast to their usual set-piece style goals.
“Yeah I thought there were two very good goals. Thought Corey’s was a really Corey like goal. Chopped to the side, won it back and um you know buried it low and hard.
“Um and the second goal was a really good goal. I felt we won the ball back in our half. Will powered up the pitch um and waited his time to put Thommo in. He finished it superbly. So, it was a really really good goal. Um, and not like the usual set piece you get told about that.”
Woodman added that after reflection and a cooldown session, “it’s business as usual” now as is their normal approach.
“Yeah, I mean we’ve had the game where we dusted ourselves off. We’ve had a cooldown yesterday. We’re out training today. Um and it’s business as usual for us. That’s pretty much how we do. Roll into the next game ready to go.”
Over 1000 Bromley fans will be in attendance at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium which Woodman feels is a great turnout given the short distance, and he has vowed to try and send them home in a joyous mood.
“Yeah, it’s amazing. We love that, you know, and it’s nice. It’s not too far away. It’s nice they’re going down to support us. And look, as always, we will be trying our best to make sure they have a good journey home with smiling faces.”
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