With eleven games to go in their debut League Two season Bromley are only four points off the play off places and The Ravens have already exceeded the expectations of most fans of the Hayes Lane club sitting in ninth with 51 points.  

It’s been an incredible season for Andy Woodman’s side as they have consolidated their place in League Two and go into the final quarter of the campaign with an outside chance of reaching the post season, doing the double over AFC Wimbledon, Gillingham & Doncaster Rovers along the way and reaching the third round of the FA Cup. 

Woodman has built a team that is hard to beat and their ‘never say die’ attitude was there for all to see last Tuesday in the 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers as they gave everything to keep their clean sheet in a match that lasted well over 100 minutes including added on time.

The two stand out players Goalkeeper Grant Smith and striker Michael Cheek have both taken to life in the EFL in their stride carrying their great form from last season, but the whole squad have stepped up to the new challenge.

Woodman’s shrewd use of the loan market has paid dividends again, as well as the willingness to give young players from eh academy a chance and they have continued to compete even with a number of injuries and suspensions over the season.                

Off the pitch things haven’t been without their issues as you would expect, the current challenge being the redevelopment of the East Terrace, which has seen the capacity of Hayes Lane temporarily reduced to around 3,100 while the work is done, 500 of which has to be allocated to visiting supporters.

Once completed the stand will have seats for away fans and a covered terrace for home supporters with bar and refreshment facilities, taking capacity back over the EFL minimum requirement of 5,000. This will just leave the North Terrace as the final original part left of the ground built in 1938.           

The next two fixtures have significance at opposite ends of the table. Saturday sees The Ravens travel up to relegation threatened Tranmere Rovers, who have recently sacked their manager and are desperate for points in their bid for survival, giving the game even more of an edge, while next Thursday evening League Two leaders Walsall visit Hayes Lane for a televised game.

After that there are home games with Salford City, Morecambe, Accrington Stanley and Cheltenham Town, along with visits to relegation battling Carlisle Utd, high flying Port Vale, Newport County, Swindon Town and Barrow.    

Whatever happens from here, it’s been a fantastic start to life in the EFL for Bromley on the pitch and something they will hope to build on.