Andy Woodman has warned Bromley’s rivals that there are “no small games” as the Ravens push for promotion to League One.
Jude Arthurs netted a 91st-minute comeback winner for Woodman’s Sky Bet League Two table-topping Ravens away at Fleetwood Town, after Nicke Kabamba came on and equalised to cancel out Mark Helm’s header.
The result left Bromley five points clear at the summit from second-placed Notts County, with the pair set to meet on Valentine’s Day (14 February) in a blockbuster showdown at Bromley’s Copperjax Stadium.
Woodman consequently admitted to Bromley’s YouTube channel post match that every match matters in their push for promotion.
“Yeah, they’re all big. Notts County, Fleetwood, they’re the same to us. I mean, this was a big game for us. Uh, because like I say, they’ve turned a corner a little bit, I think, Fleetwood. And um it’s a big result. So yeah, they’re all big right away in now. There’s no small games now we’re at the top, trust me.”
Woodman proceeded to reflect that he thought that Fleetwood gave his team a hard test in the Cod Army’s second match under interim manager – Matt Lawlor, but credited his players for responding to his triple-substitution gamble after Fleetwood’s opener.
“Yeah absolutely. It was a tricky game for both teams in fairness. Um, pitch is tricky. You know, it’s tough place to come and uh, look they give them credit. They thought they were really good today. And uh, since the manager came in, he made them a tough team to beat.
“Um, and then to go down with not long left on the clock, you know, it was a case of rolling the dice, and bringing on the guys that hope we could get something back for us at least which they did and to get the winner at the end. There’s nothing better than that, is there? Let’s be honest.”
Kabamba’s equaliser came just two minutes after he replaced Ben Thompson and Woodman was impressed with the forward’s finish and immediate impact on the game.
“That was a really good finish, let me tell you. The touch or chest down and the finish on that surface was a very good finish. Um, you know, wow where would we be without Nicke? I mean, he’s been good for us on many times. Um but look, as a group of players, defended well.
“Um I thought we were resolute at times. We had, you know, some big clearances. You’re not going to come to Fleetwood with it all your own way. I tell you that. So that’s a big result for us.”
Damola Ajayi was also introduced in the second half alongside Kabamba and set the latter up to provide the decisive headed assist, which Arthurs put away to complete their comeback after the midfielder had been a half-time substitute for Will Hondermarck.
Woodman post match admitted to feeling just relieved that referee – Neil Hair didn’t find a convoluted excuse to disallow Arthur’s winner, and credited his players for their humility and calm attitude.
“Yeah I mean I couldn’t tell you how it all went in, but thankfully it did. I mean, he bundled it across the line. I just had to see the net go and the referee not make any weird decisions, cos sometimes you get a weird decision in these moments.
“Relief. I’m going to be honest, relief. And chuffed for those boys, you know, they proper put a shift in every day, every week. And there’s no big celebrations in there, you know.
“I keep saying it, they’re in there and they’re kind of like “right so on to the next one…” and that’s what we got to keep doing. You know I keep saying it but we haven’t achieved anything yet but we’re definitely definitely going in the right direction.”
Reflecting on the impact of his substitutions, Woodman is wary that no player naturally wants to be substituted but explained that every player knows that his substitutions are about getting results.
“It’s important, you know, no one wants to come off. No one wants to get subbed. There’s disappointment when lads get subbed, but it’s about all of us, you know. It’s about all of us making sure that we get this football club to where we want to get it to and they all brought into it, you know, and they only want to do well and they’re good on this bunch and the lads have come on again, you know, give us something different.
“And sometimes when the game’s not quite going how you want, you got to just throw something in there different and hope it falls your way.”
Bromley however were only still in the game after Grant Smith made numerous first-half saves, with Woodman left in awe of his goalkeeper for his superb shot-stopping ability.
“We’re in debt to Grant for many, many games. I mean, he pulled off two really good saves. One down in the bottom corner from a header, which was top draw, top draw. And you know and I mean this with the utmost respect, they’ll probably feel that they could have probably won this game today with the chance they had.
“Um we weren’t quite our best, but that’s a sign of a good team if you’re not at your best and you get results. I’m more than happy with that.”
Bromley’s victory extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches and marked the return of defender, Byron Webster after three months out of the matchday squad, but Woodman was impressed at his return performance after a lengthy absence due to injuries to Kyle Cameron and Omar Sowunmi plus Zech Medley’s ineligibility.
“What can you say about Byron Webster? I mean look I haven’t called upon Byron for a long time and uh he sort of had one foot in helping us with this back four and all of that and I’ve had to put him in today and he just does what Byron does.
“He’s a solid old school defender that just organised in front of him and done a really good job and credit to him. He was excellent.”
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