Fresh from their first win of 2017 last weekend Bromley are back in National League action at Hayes Lane this Saturday afternoon when they entertain Torquay United.

The Gulls travel up from Devon having beaten Gateshead 3-1 at Plainmoor last Saturday, a win which moved them to seventeenth in the table with 33 points from 30 games, 4 points above the relegation zone.

This was also the first victory of the year for Kevin Nichollson”s side halting a run of three consecutive defeats, which has seen them slip towards the bottom four. The Ravens are eight points better off after their 3-1 win over Southport, with Charlton loanee striker Brandon Hanlan scoring twice on his debut.

When the two sides met in the reverse fixture back in August, Torquay ran out 1-0 winners and another close encounter looks to be on the cards this time out.        

It’s been another eventful week at Hayes Lane with Alex Wall leaving the club after agreeing to the early termination of his contract following an injury hit spell at Bromley and Wolves loanee Arron Hayden returning to Molineaux after picking up an injury in a practice match with Millwall without playing a competitive game for The Ravens.

Neil Smith hasn’t ruled out adding more players to his squad, should the right candidate become available.  

The club also put in for planning permission with London Borough of Bromley to install a 3G pitch this summer, with the current playing surface showing the signs of a harsh winter and heavy use.

Bromley and Cray Wanderers have shared the ground since 1998, but it also now being used on occasion by Crystal Palace Ladies and Millwall Under 23s. The going will certainly be heavy again this weekend after more rainfall this week.        

A decent crowd is expected for this match with The Gulls fans travelling in numbers as they did last season and the home support buoyed by the hard fought win over Southport.