Bromley play their first home game of 2017 on Saturday when they host Forest Green Rovers at Hayes Lane in the National League looking to bounce back from the disappointment of the defeat at Sutton Utd last Sunday and trying to get used to life without Assistant Manager Steve Lovell.
Prior to the New Year’s Day defeat Neil Smith’s side had been on an impressive run of results only losing once in two months, which had seen The Ravens rise up to the heady heights of ninth in the table. The reverse saw them slip to thirteenth, but with an impressive 38pts from 27 games and they are coping well with that ‘difficult second season’ at this level. On Wednesday though they lost the services of Smith’s number two Lovell, who has joined the new managerial team down the road at Gillingham.
Post Sutton Smith spoke about his disappointment in the performance and the need for players to step up. He will be hoping that Tobi Sho-Silva and Lee Minshull will soon be back from injury to freshen things up, although Alex Wall and Ben May seem as far off a return to playing as ever.
Forest Green travel up from Gloucestershire in third place with 49pts from 26played and a staggering +20 goal difference. They come in on the back of a 5-5 Bank Holiday draw with Torquay United secured with a late own goal. Rovers are without a league win since November and will be desperate to get back to winning ways to keep in touch with leaders Lincoln City.
In the reverse fixture back in September Forest Green won 1-0 in a close fought encounter and the two games last season saw a 2-1 loss for The Ravens away and a 3-3 draw at home on Easter Monday.
Former Bromley striker Shamir Mullings recently signed for the visitors after an impressive spell with Chelmsford City and will be one to watch amongst an impressive Rovers squad known to be one of the best resourced teams in the division.
A good crowd is once again expected at The Lane for what could be an indicator as to how Neil Smith’s squad is doing against a very strong side and without Lovell’s guidance.