Ben Thompson is “buzzing” about his first career hat-trick in Bromley’s 4-1 victory at Kent rivals, Gillingham.
Thompson’s first-half brace and Corey Whitely’s finish fired Bromley into a 3-0 lead before Bradley Dack pulled a goal back for Gillingham before half time, but Thompson completed the Ravens’ win and his first career hat-trick with a 48th-minute half-volley from his interception of a headed clearance.
The 30-year-old midfielder post-match revealed to Bromley’s YouTube channel that he didn’t even look up at the ball for his third goal, having previously tried to lob Gillingham’s goalkeeper, Glenn Morris in the 31st minute but missed.
“Didn’t even look up. Yeah, I thought after the first half I had a chance to make three and tried to chip the keeper and missed. I thought the chance wasn’t going to come for the hat-trick, but it did. Um, luckily enough, first career hat trick and yeah, buzzing. Can’t wait.”
Reflecting on the whole performance, Thompson praised his teammates for their part in the display and desire to work for each other.
“Yeah, fantastic. All the lads brilliant. Worked hard for each other. That’s what’s we got in the dressing room now. So, like we’re working for each other week in week out and the results just keep coming.”
The most important element in Bromley’s eventual win was their fast start to the match and Thompson explained that they had discussed the strategy across the week.
“Yeah, we all spoke about it during the week um starting fast and making sure we’re on the front foot straight away. Um coming to Gillingham is tough play sometimes. So, yeah, we had to start well and we did.”
Thompson has now scored four goals in Bromley’s last two matches after he got their second goal in an eventual 2-2 draw at home to Crewe Alexandra in midweek, but he is pleased to be back playing after struggling with injury in the first half of the season.
“Yeah, definitely. I’ve had to be patient this season. It’s been frustrating time for me. Obviously had the injury, not been in the team for the last few weeks and uh months even. So yeah, just been patient, working hard on the training pitch and yeah, got my chance today.”
He proceeded to explain that their late second equaliser against Crewe was partially a motivating factor for the team’s performance at Gillingham.
“Yeah, exactly. Um I think after Tuesday it was a frustrating draw. We went in the changing room, it was like a loss. Um last minute equaliser is always a tough one to take, but um yeah, the boys have got great character and we bounced back nicely.”
The result meant that Bromley remain six points clear at the summit as Cambridge became their nearest challengers in second, but Thompson iterated that no player is getting caught up in the promotion chatter amongst media and fans alike.
“Yeah. No one’s getting carried away. I think, as I say, we just work hard for each other week in week out. The results have come. You’ve seen some of the games we’ve just scrapped and grinded it out and got one nil wins and nicked one here and there.
“Um, that’s the character of the dressing room. No one’s got a big ego. It’s all brilliant.”
1,313 Bromley supporters turned up at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium for the local derby and Thompson felt that the away atmosphere made them feel at home rather than at an away game.
“Yeah, it’s brilliant. It felt like a bit of a home game to be fair. The fans brought their numbers, made the noise, and yeah, it was throughout the whole game I heard them. So, yeah, it’s fantastic.”
Leave a Reply