Aldershot Town travel to Hayes Lane on Saturday to face Bromley FC live on BT Sport at 5:20pm looking to rectify their loss against Weymouth on Tuesday. Bromley are without a win in three games (all competitions) and they will also be eyeing maximum points in this fixture.
In association with LV BET, Kirshon Wilkins previews the game:
Shots Squad:
Lewis Kinsella, Craig Tanner and Ross McCormack all continue to make good progress in their rehabilitation from long term injuries. Ricky Miller has missed the Wealdstone and Weymouth game as did Harrison Panayiotou and will be looking to return as soon as possible. Skipper Jamie Sendles-White returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday and is in contention to start.
Opposition:
Name: Bromley FC
Founded: 1892
Nickname: The Ravens
Opposition Manager: Neil Smith
Stadium: Hayes Lane
2019/20 National League Final Position: 13th (Based on Points Per Game system after the suspension of the league in March 2020)
Current Position: 14th
The Gaffer:
The Lambeth-born 49-year-old was a professional footballer before he began management. Smith had a strong career with the likes of Gillingham, Reading and Woking. He has also played for Bromley in 2008 before confirming his retirement.
Smith’s managerial career started off at Woking where he was appointed caretaker manager in March 2007 with Graham Baker following the departure of Glenn Cockerill. Smith managed to secure safety that season with the club in the National League.
After failing to get the job full-time, Smith joined Welling United following the departure of Adrian Pennock to Stoke City. The job lasted until 7 January 2008 and he joined Bromley as a player shortly after. Smith joined Grays Athletic on 21 February 2008 before joining Tim O’Shea, with whom he worked with at Grays, at Croydon Athletic. He followed O’Shea to Lewes as an assistant and following their relegation, he re-joined Bromley as part of their coaching staff in 2011.
Following the departure of Mark Goldberg, Smith took over as interim manager in February 2016 before becoming permanent manager of the Ravens on 4 April 2016.
Departed:
12 players have left Hayes Lane to move onto pastures new. Sam Wood (Dover Athletic), Dave Winfield (Romford), Adam Mekki (Ebbsfleet United), Jake Goodman (Ebbsfleet United), Jordan Higgs (Dulwich Hamlet), Adrian Clifton (Dagenham & Redbridge), Ryan Huddart (Boreham Wood), Nassim L’Ghoul (Dartford) and Harry Kyprianou (Southend United). Reeco Hackett-Fairchild is on loan with League Two side Southend United. Briggs Ojemen arrived without a club whilst former Bromley player Josh Rees left the Ravens in the summer to join Aldershot Town.
Retained:
12 players have been retained from their campaign last season. Liam Vincent, Luke Coulson, Joe Kizzi, Mark Cousins, Billy Bingham, Jack Holland, Michael Cheek, Frankie Raymond, Chris Bush, Ben Allen, Jude Arthurs and Ben Williamson have committed their 2020/21 season to Hayes Lane.
Arrived:
10 new players have joined Bromley this season. Harry Forster (Watford u23s), James Alabi (Leyton Orient), Tom Purrington (Plymouth Argyle), Taylor Maloney (Charlton Athletic u23s), Byron Webster (Carlisle United), Kory Roberts (Walsall), Charlie Wakefield (Wealdstone), Courtney Duffus (Yeovil Town), and Jack Bridge (Concord Rangers). Former Millwall midfielder Liam Trotter arrived without a club.
Form:
Bromley’s form is similar to last seasons where they have started well and looked to push for the play-offs until the winter season where the form has dipped, currently sitting in mid-table. With six wins, five draws and five losses, they will be looking to get back into the play-off picture with a number of games in hand yet to be played.
Referee:
Tomorrow’s referee is Tom Reeves with his assistants Robert Evans and Shaun Barry and the fourth official officiating the game is Harry Scott supported by observer Michael Tingey.
Match Coverage:
