After a couple of eventful weeks off the pitch at Hayes Lane, Bromley are hoping to get back in football action on Saturday afternoon when they entertain Southport in the National League.

Following the departures of Assistant Manager Steve Lovell, plus Reece Prestedge and Rob Swaine from the playing staff a fortnight ago, Bromley Manager Neil Smith was able to add former Millwall and Orient defender Alan Dunne as Player Coach, plus two loanees in Brandon Hanlan from Charlton and Aaron Hayden from Wolves last week. Vital additions with the small squad still missing injured players Alex Wall, Ben May, Tobi Sho Silva and Ben Chorley.

Sadly for The Ravens both scheduled fixtures since the arrivals have been called off due to frozen pitches, but Smith will be hopeful the weather is kinder this weekend and his team can put an end to a Dry January of their own with three defeats to their name so far in 2017. 

Southport travel down from the Merseyside Coast also on a difficult run of form, having lost their last two games, which has left them in nineteenth place with 30 points from 29 games. Their last game being a 4-2 home defeat to fellow struggles North Ferriby United on Saturday. The Ravens sit eight points better off from one less game and will be desperate to maintain the gap between themselves and the relegation zone to avoid any jitters with around a quarter of the season left.

When the two sides met at Haigh Avenue in October, Bromley ran out 2-1 winners with goals from Adam Cunnington and Jordan Higgs, but the visitors have had changes personnel since then as experienced ‘port Manager Steve Burr looks to steer his side to safety.

This should be a close fought encounter as both sides look to plot their patch to safety heading into February.

Picture supplied by Ed Boyden.