In a significant match at either end of the table, Will Hondermarck’s strike inside the opening 20 minutes proved to be enough for Bromley to edge out Bristol Rovers at the Copperjax Community Stadium.
The Ravens maintain their two point gap at the top of League Two, while the visitors remain in 19th position, eight points above the relegation zone.
Join us, as well as a feature from our Bristol Rovers correspondent Tom Day, as we reflect on a trio of talking points from Saturday’s game.
Over recent weeks, where Bromley have dropped eight points out of a possible 15 before this weekend’s game, there has been a growing agenda that the Ravens only offer an unpleasant ‘long-ball’ approach.
This playing style might not be the most attractive, yet it is the most effective for the League Two leaders.
Albeit, Bromley showed today a different side of their game, where in possession they moved away from their stereotypical directness, and instead crafted a number of fluid routines that pleased the home crowd.
The best of which came just after the half-hour mark where Corey Whitely should have doubled Bromley’s advantage.
In a fast break down the left side, Mitch Pinnock and Nicke Kabamba would link up and subsequently cut the ball back to Bromley’s number 18.
With an expected goal metric of 0.43, Bromley’s highest from an individual shot all game, Whitely somehow missed the target from the centre of the six yard box.
Following the final whistle, manager Andy Woodman expressed:
“It was an amazing move. It’s a shame it didn’t go in for the reason that everyone has this perception of us being this one dimensional team- in fact I’m glad it didn’t go in now because it would maybe change the narrative of us!”
Project 73
In a fair amount of interviews with Bromley’s media team this season, Andy Woodman has cryptically outlined that he had two targets he wanted his team to reach.
Last season, the 54-year-old surprisingly aimed for the playoffs despite it being Bromley’s first ever EFL campaign. Although that aim wasn’t fulfilled, the Ravens were only four points off completing it.
After Bromley’s 1-0 victory over Bristol Rovers, Woodman’s first target has already been reached with nine games remaining. In a team meeting video from pre-season, that has now been released on Bromley’s social media channels, Woodman created the strapline of ‘Project 73’.
“I want it to be f****** embedded in your heads. Embedded because 73 points gets you in the playoffs 100%.”
The focus is not the playoffs anymore however, as the Ravens deservedly find themselves in contention for automatic promotion and entering League One… perhaps the second aim Woodman still has his eyes on.
Evans Makes Changes But The Gas Don’t Quite Ignite
Once again, Steve Evans wasn’t afraid to mix things up to chase the game. Yusuf Akhamrich, Shaq Forde, and Joe Quigley all came on for the starting front trio of strikers: the experienced Ellis Harrison, full-debutant Mees Rijks, and top scorer Fabrizio Cavegn.
Quigley has certainly been central to how Rovers have successfully played under Evans, but it was understandable that he was benched with important games upcoming for the Gas.
Nonetheless, Quigley made a difference for Rovers with his hold-up play.
Unfortunately for Evans, his side huffed and puffed but couldn’t quite force Grant Smith into a meaningful save. Momentum certainly saw a drop off though in the 81st minute with substitute Forde seeing red for a second yellow card following a rash challenge outside his own box.
The young winger was ironically sent off in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, as Rovers surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at the Memorial Stadium, and will now again be suspended after another poor contribution.
