Bromley make the trip up to League One Rochdale for their FA Cup First Round game on Saturday with an eye on making club history.

The 125 year old Ravens have never beaten Football League opposition in the competition and haven’t made the second round in 72years, but Neil Smith’s side will be looking to end this run at Spotland.

In recent years Bromley have failed to give a good account of themselves in the first round proper having suffered heavy defeats to Fleetwood, Leyton Orient, Colchester and Gillingham, plus a heart breaking 4-3 home defeat to Dartford the last time they reached this stage in 2014.   

Rochdale come into the game sitting nineteenth in League One having picked up 17pts from 16 games, while Bromley sit two divisions lower currently sixth in The National League and having knocked out Dover Athletic 3-0 in a replay at Hayes Lane in the previous round. Last Saturday Dale drew 1-1 away to Plymouth Argyle a point that kept them above the bottom four.

The two sides are linked through Ernie Cooksey who played with distinction for both teams. The all action wing back tragically lost his life to cancer at only 28years old back in 2008, but lives long in the memory.       

Smith has had several injury worries in the build up to the game with key defenders Ben Chorley, Roger Johnson & Tyrone Sterling missing last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Boreham Wood and he will also be without forward George Porter due to suspension. There are hopes that Johnson and Sterling may be able to return for the big game.

A good support of over 250 is expected to make the trip up to Lancashire and with the Bromley Academy side having made the FA Youth Cup second round on Monday defeating Chipstead 2-0, everyone connected with the club will be hoping the senior side can follow suit.