What a first game playing Tranmere Rovers at home, says Bromley boss Neil Smith

BROMLEY manager Neil Smith says there’s a feeling of excitement over their fixtures during the opening week of the new Vanarama National League season.

The National League published their fixture lists yesterday lunchtime and the Ravens will host giants Tranmere Rovers at Hayes Lane on Saturday 6 August, before travelling to Torquay United three days later.

Bromley pulled off a giant-killing on their Vanrama National League debut last August when Mark Goldberg guided the club to an impressive 3-1 win over Wrexham at Hayes Lane.

Goldberg parted company with the club in February with his assistant manager Smith taking interim charge before being handed the job on a permanent basis.

“It was great to see the fixtures come out and what a first game playing Tranmere Rovers at home followed straight away with an away game to Torquay,” said Bromley resident Smith.

“The boys were all excited about the fixtures as now it seems that the season is getting closer.”

Bromley open their pre-season campaign with a trip to their traditional rivals Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday (12:00).

Gavin Rose guided Hamlet to a top-five finish in the Ryman Premier League last season and after beating Bognor Regis Town 1-0 in the play-off semi-final, they were defeated 3-1 at East Thurrock United in the final.

The Essex side will kick-off their debut Vanarama National League South campaign with a home game against fellow newly-promoted side Hungerford Town on 6 August.

Dulwich Hamlet, meanwhile, will have to wait until Friday 15 July for their League fixtures to be released.

Smith revealed that he will give everyone a chance to impress him during their opening warm-up game which will see summer signings Joe Howe (Ebbsfleet United), David Martin (Whitehawk) and George Porter (Welling United) make their debuts for the club.

“It’s great to have the players back and training.  The boys have been training really hard with their fitness,” said Smith.

“The new players are settling in well with the squad of boys that we have already on contract.

“We play Dulwich on Saturday where I’ll be playing two teams over the course of the game with them having 45 minutes each.  There will be a few players on trial and a few of the players who have come through the Academy.”

Bromley’s three home pre-season games are all against local League opposition, with relegated Charlton Athletic visiting Hayes Lane next Tuesday night (19:45), followed by their League One rivals Millwall on Saturday 16 July (15:00), while Premier League neighbours Crystal Palace are the visitors for an ALL-TICKET game on Tuesday 2 August (19:00).

Smith added: “These games are great for the club, supporters and the players.”

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.tv/site

Dulwich Hamlet  v  Bromley
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 9^th July 2016
Kick Off 12:00pm
at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, Dog Kennel Hill, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD