Bromley captain Jack Holland: It's no secret that I want to lead this club to the Football League

BROMLEY captain Jack Holland says last night’s 7-1 home win over Workington has made a statement that the club mean business.

The Ravens will play in The Buildbase FA Trophy Quarter-Finals for the first time and will welcome Vanarama National League North side Spennymoor Town at Hayes Lane on Saturday 24 February.

Brandon Hanlan opened the scoring with only two minutes and 59 seconds into his second home debut following his loan move from League One neighbours Charlton Athletic.

But eighth-placed Evo-Stik Northern Premier League part-timers Workington swiftly levelled through Nathan Waterston’s strike to make it a nervous time.

Louis Dennis, 25, curled a beautiful shot into the top far corner from 25-yards following a short corner to knock the stuffing out of Workington a couple of minutes before half-time.

Bromley sent shockwaves to their rivals by rattling in five second half goals from George Porter, Dennis, substitute Luke Wanadio, Jordan Higgs and Holland, who rescued Bromley with a 79^th minute headed equaliser up in Cumbria at the weekend.

“The win was paramount! I didn’t care how it would come. It could’ve been 1-0 as long as we got the win and did it,” said central defender Holland.

“I think the boys, second half especially, showed what we’re about and it’s a great win, great win.”

Reflecting on a nervy first half, Holland said: “We knew we could play better and the gaffer (Neil Smith) just said that and he was like we have to come out second half and we’ve got to take it to them otherwise it could’ve be a bit of a tense one, so we just came out and from the first minute we knew we was on the front foot and it paid off for us today.”

Holland’s two goals against Workington has taken his tally for the season to seven.

“It’s always nice (to score).  The gaffer and Mark Hammond gave me a target to hit and since then I’ve been up there and it’s nice to get two on the trot now.”

Bromley’s 7-1 win over Workington last night was the club’s highest ever win in The FA Trophy.

“You don’t even look at the records really, you just go out looking to win and we know we’ve got a home tie next,” said Holland.

“It’s been desperate for us to get a home tie. We’ve had so many away ones but hopefully we can get a big crowd here for that game and move on.

“As every game, we come out and we play the team in front of us and we give the teams the respect but again we try to play with an arrogance and at home we want to make a statement here so hopefully they’ll come here and we’ll play just like we’ve been playing all season and hopefully get the win.”

The big question. Can Bromley win at Wembley?

“We can dream, dare to dream, dare to dream,” said West Wickham resident Holland.

“For me personally it means everything! It will be up there winning the league.  You want to win as much as you can and especially here.  When I came here it was a pipe dream.  I think you dreamt of it but we could never quite do it but I think this year we’re more than capable.”

The big question. Can Bromley win promotion and fulfil their long-term ambition of becoming a Football League outfit?

Holland said: “Promotion? Promotion is everything!  It’s no secret that I want to take this club, I want to lead this club to the League and I think every single player in there knows we’ve got the capability. It’s putting it into practice now. We’ll take going up 100%.

“I think it’s the best I’ve ever been a part of while I was here and it’s been a long time. It’s the best and it can only get better.

“I can only see it getting better so strap in for the ride because it’s going to take us to places, I’m telling you that!”

Bromley host Maidstone United at Hayes Lane in the Vanarama National League on Saturday.

“Always a tough game, always a tough game. Maidstone have travelled to Gateshead but I know they’re going to come here and throw the kitchen sink at us so we’ll prepare like we have, we’ve got Thursday and Friday to prepare and then we’ll take it to them on Saturday.”

The Buildbase FA Trophy Revised Quarter-Final Draw (Saturday 24 February):

Billericay Town (Bostik Premier)  v  Wealdstone (Vanarama National League South)
Stockport County (Vanarama National League North)  v  Brackley Town (Vanarama National League North)
Leyton Orient (Vanarama National League)  v  Gateshead (Vanarama National League)
Bromley (Vanarama National League)  v  Spennymoor Town (Vanarama National League North)

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.tv

Bromley  v  Maidstone United
Vanarama National League
Saturday 10 February 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF