After falling to their first league defeat since November last time out, Bromley return to National League action on Saturday afternoon looking to get back to winning ways when they entertain Hartlepool United at Hayes Lane.

The Ravens lost 1-0 away to AFC Fylde last weekend and didn’t record a league win in January, but despite this Andy Woodman’s side are still sitting in second place with 58 points from 31 games and 11 points clear of Solihull Moors in fourth.

A finish in second or third would guarantee a home draw in the play off semi finals and secure a bye from the eliminator round come the end of the season. 

Hartlepool Utd make the long journey down from County Durham sitting in twelfth with 37 points from 31 league matches, last Saturday new manager Kevin Phillips’ side won 2-1 at home to York City with a double strike from Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.

The Pools won three of their six competitive fixtures in January and with a new manager in place they will be eyeing a late charge for the top seven.       

When the sides met in the reveres fixture at Victoria Park in November, Bromley won 4-1 with two goals from Michael Cheek plus one from Ben Krauhaus & Olufela Olomola giving The Ravens all three points, with Dieseruvwe again on target for United.

The former Salford & Halifax striker has notched 15 goals for Pools so far this season, while Bromley’s top scorer is once again Cheek who is currently on 13 this campaign.  

Midfielder Ashley Charles signed for Bromley on Thursday from Wealdstone and defender Kamal Grant joined on loan from Millwall, while Idris Odutayo signed on a permanent deal from Fulham and George Alexander was recalled from his loan at Dartford on a busy day at Hayes Lane.  

Woodman may well tap into the loan market again for further additions to the squad once he knows who is available for the final three months of the regular season.

With both teams looking to start February with a win, this looks set to be a tight game in front of another big crowd at Hayes Lane as the season heads towards the final quarter.    

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.