Bromley face their biggest game of the season so far on Saturday afternoon when they entertain York City at Hayes Lane in the semi final of the FA Trophy with a place in the final at Wembley Stadium in May at stake.    

The Ravens go into the game having drawn 1-1 away to Wealdstone last weekend, Byron Webster heading Andy Woodman’s team in front before The Stones equalised late on.

Bromley’s league form has been patchy of late and has seen them slip to tenth in the National League table with 54 points from 33 league games played, but they are still within touching distance of the play offs if they can win their games in hand. 

Woodman has a few injury concerns going into the match with Luke Coulson & Harry Forster going off injured at Wealdstone last week, Omar Sowunmi has been out for a couple of weeks, while Scott Wagstaff & Connor Parsons are both cup tied.

Marcus Sablier, Ben Margetson, Palace Francis and Kory Roberts are all out on loan. Ali Al-Hamadi has returned from International duty with Iraq, while Michael Cheek was involved in England C action this week.    

York City are sixth in National League North, one level below Bromley, with 51 points from 32 league matches under manager John Askey. Last Saturday York beat Leamington 1-0 at home, Kurt Willoughby with the winning goal just after the hour mark.   

To reach the semi final stage of the FA Trophy The Minstermen have seen off Blyth Spartans, Matlock Town, Slough Town all by 1-0, Morpeth Town 3-2 and Dagenham & Redbridge away on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the quarter final.     

Bromley have beaten Dover Athletic 1-0, Aldershot Town 2-0 & Tonbridge Angels on penalties all away, plus Solihull Moors 3-1 at home in the quarter final to make it to final four, Michael Cheek scoring two and James Alabi one.   

Bromley reached the final in 2018 suffering a heart breaking defeat on penalties to Brackley Town having lead 1-0 with only 21 seconds of injury time to go in the second half, although the only member of the squad that played that day and is at Bromley now is Louis Dennis.

The Ravens only other appearance at Wembley Stadium being the famous 1-0 win over Romford in the FA Amateur Cup back in 1949, watched by 93,000.  

York City have reached the final three times, winning it twice, in 2012 beating Newport County 2-0 & in 2017 beating Macclesfield Town 3-2.         

With the semi final now a single leg game and with no replays the match will be decided on the day and will go straight to penalties if drawn at full time. 

On what is already a huge day for the club, Bromley also open their new Broomfields bar and restaurant to season ticket holders on Saturday, located at the back of the Glyn Beverly Stand.       

A huge crowd is anticipated at Hayes Lane for this game, York having sold 1,000 tickets and the home allocation is also close to selling out for this winner takes all cup tie with Stockport County or Wrexham waiting for them at Wembley in the final.

Picture supplied by Ed Boyden Photos.