Just one win away from the quarter finals and with Wembley Stadium on the horizon, Bromley and Aveley meet in the FA Trophy Fifth Round at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon looking to book their place in the final eight.
The Ravens go into the game on a difficult run, without a National League win since 30 December, the only win for Andy Woodman’s side in 2024 was a penalty shoot out victory over Chippenham Town in the last round of the FA Trophy following a 1-1 draw.
Last weekend Bromley lost 2-1 at home to Hartlepool Utd, Michael Cheek putting Bromley in front with his fourteenth goal of the season, before they conceded twice. Despite the dip in form they are still second in the table though with 58 points from 32 games.
Andy Woodman signed four players last week, but Ashley Charles is cup tied along with Levi Amantchi, while Deji Elerewe and Idris Odutayo are not quite match fit as yet.
Millwall loanee Kemarl Grant is available having made his debut against Hartlepool and Woodman stated post match that he would send out a team that would prioritise keeping a clean sheet this weekend.
The Ravens have beaten National League South opposition in both their previous FA Trophy games this campaign beating Slough Town 1-0 in December, before seeing off Chippenham 4-2 on penalties in January.
Aveley go into the game sitting in eighth in the National League South with 46 points from 31 matches played. The Millers were promoted from the Isthmian League Premier Division last season via the play offs and have made a good start to life at Step 2.
Last Saturday Danny Scopes’ side lost 3-0 to Worthing and they were also knocked out of the Essex Senior Cup on Monday night losing 1-0 to Hashtag Utd.
The Millers reached this stage of the competition with wins over St Ives Town 2-1, Hungerford Town 8-7on pens after a 1-1 draw and National League side AFC Fylde 1-0. The winning goal scored by Nana Kyei at the Parkside Stadium, which also has a 3G surface.
The two sides used to meet regularly back in their Isthmian League days, but the last time Bromley & Aveley played each other in a competitive fixture was back in 1993 when Bromley won 5-2 un the Full Members Cup at Aveley’s old Field Mill ground.
One Aveley player who won’t be a stranger to Hayes Lane is centre back Jalen Jones who was with Cray Wanderers last season before stepping up a level in the summer.
With both sides needing a win and with the final now a realistic destination, this should be an enthralling cup tie which will be played to a finish on the day.
Tickets are available from the Bromley FC website, Adults £20, Concessions £15, Under 16’s £7, 11 years and under are free (accompanied by a paying adult). Please note: ticket prices will automatically increase by £2 online from midnight ahead of kick-off and on the gate. There is a printed programme at £3. Kick off is at 3pm.