One month in to life in the EFL and Bromley seem to have settled in quite well.

The Ravens’ debut League Two campaign started with two wins either side of a narrow League Cup exit 2-1 at home to AFC Wimbledon, before they tasted defeat at Bradford City going down 3-1, playing with ten men for over eighty minutes at Valley Parade and 2-1 at home to Crewe Alexandra.

A penalty shootout win over League One Cambridge Utd in the EFL Trophy lifted the spirits and a hard earned 1-1 at Colchester Utd ended the first month on a fairly positive note.

Michael Cheek has taken to life in the Football League like he’s always been there, scoring three goals already, including fittingly Bromley’s first ever EFL goal.

Many of the core squad that got Bromley promoted from the National League have equally stepped up and look the part.  

On the pitch the one thing Bromley fans have learned already is that a one goal lead going into the final twenty minutes of a game is not enough, there were many times in the National League when The Ravens would shut up shop, moving into a back five with a holding midfielder and adopt the ‘non shall pass’ approach to see games out, so far this campaign that hasn’t worked.

Teams, coaches and players are a little smarter, quicker and have a plan B if a strategy isn’t working.      

Manager Andy Woodman has made changes to the shape of his side, playing with two strikers rather than a lone Michael Cheek and also rotated personell in midfield.

Swansea City loanees Cameron Congreve and Josh Thomas were both called up into the Wales Under 21 squad this week, which was really nice to see. 

On the supporters side of things, there have already been a few changes. There is no more match day programme, but instead a monthly magazine covering all the fixtures in that period, the stadium being zoned means less movement and not seeing people who you might have stood with for one half before migrating to the other end of the ground for the second period.

Season ticket holders who choose not to attend matches have been asked to let the club know, so the allocated space can be re-sold, after two ‘sold out’ games that saw Hayes Lane at less than capacity and some fans unable to purchase tickets.

It’s all a big learning curve for the team and the club and there will be plenty of challenges ahead as the season goes on.

Over the next month Andy Woodman’s side will face familiar foes in Notts County & Chesterfield at Hayes Lane, along with first meeting with MK Dons, while The Ravens also travel to another former National League opponent in Grimsby Town and then Fleetwood Town who they met in the FA Cup back in 2013.

Sandwiched amongst these League Two matches is another EFL Trophy home game with Chelsea Under 21s, which should allow players who have had limited game time to get a good work out.      

By this time next month, the leaves will be falling, the warm coats will be back out the wardrobe and we should have a clearer picture as to how the season is shaping up.   

Picture supplied by Bromley Football Club.