The players are working so hard to turn our results around that we hope this turns soon, says Bromley interim manager Neil Smith

BROMLEY interim manager Neil Smith says the whole club have to stick together as he aims to halt a poor run of form.

The Ravens have gone six games without any victory and have slipped down to a disappointing 15^th place in the Vanarama National League table on 38 points.

Bromley are now only eight points clear of the relegation zone and require four more wins from their last 15 league games to ensure that Hayes Lane stages National League football again next season.

Bromley suffered a 2-0 defeat at Wrexham last weekend, going down to two first half goals at the Racecourse Ground.

The Ravens recorded a memorable 3-1 win over the Welsh club on the opening day of the season but injuries and a loss of form and manager Mark Goldberg have sucked the club into a relegation dog-fight.

“Last week’s game was another tough game away from home at Wrexham,” said former Gillingham midfielder Smith, 44.

“We were managing to contain them until a deep cross came into the box for a midfield player to arrive late to head in.

“I was disappointed on two fronts, my midfielder not tracking the runner and the gap he managed to find in the box.

“We then conceded a needles penalty as the ball and player were both going away from goal.

“Two lacks of concentration caused our problems.

“The second half was much better in respect we restricted them and we also had good chances to score ourselves.  If one of our chances had gone in I think we could have put them under more pressure.”

Bromley host tenth-placed Woking at Hayes Lane tomorrow.

Smith has fond memories during his time as a player at Kingfield Stadium, making 180 appearances for the club and his first foray into management, but Bromley must win the game to lift confidence on and off the pitch.

Fans have been on the back of target-man Alex Wall in recent weeks.  The former Luton Town striker has scored six goals this season but statistics produced on behalf of The National League confirm the 25-year-old has committed the most fouls (25) for the club and collected four yellow cards.

Woking, meanwhile, arrive at Hayes Lane having created the most shots on target (224) in League games this season.

“The players are working so hard to turn our results around that we hope this turns soon as the supporters have been fantastic and they deserve better,” said Smith, who has lost his first two games in interim charge of his home-town club.

“We are disappointed but our heads are not dropping, unfortunately our mistakes are costing us.

“We need to stick together, that’s the club, players and supporters and as a group we can come through the difficult time.

“Woking will be another tough game as they are up near the play-off places.

“It’s my old club where I really enjoyed my football.  In Garry Hill they have a very experienced manager and helping him a Woking legend in Steve Thompson.

“We know what we have to do and we will work very hard to achieve the result we and the supporters want but we must cut out our errors.”

When asked about the longevity of his current role as first team manager, Smith added: “The support I’ve had has been brilliant. Whatever happens will happen.”

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

Bromley v Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 20^th February 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF