Craig Holloway is an important part of Bromley's future, says assistant Hayden Bird

Monday 08th November 2010

GOALKEEPER Craig Holloway is set to make his first start for Bromley against Woking at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night, in what assistant manager Hayden Bird describes as a “defining” big period for the Kent club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Wes Foderingham pulled his thigh during Saturday’s goal-less draw at home to Farnborough, and Bird, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, was disappointed with the blank.

“I thought the performance was good even though for the amount of possession we had, we didn’t create enough chances,” he said.

“We created good chances early on in the game, which on another day Paul (Vines) and Warren (McBean) would have scored, but even though we dominated the game I was a little bit disappointed with our work in the final third of the pitch, which didn’t create the opportunities that our possession, our play deserved, so subsequently we had to settle for a point rather than all three.”

When asked whether it was a point gained or two lost, Bird replied, “I think that’s a difficult one. I think that it was a point gained in so much as Farnborough are a good side, who I think have real potential to make the play-off’s, so it was certainly a creditable draw but probably on reflection two points lost as I thought we were the better team and could easily have won the game.”

Bromley are in second place in the Blue Square Bet South table with 29 points from 29 games. Woking - who held high-flying League One side Brighton & Hove Albion to a goal-less draw in the First Round of the FA Cup at the weekend - are in a disappointing 12th place in the table.

“It’s a big week, you’re right,” said Bird. “In fact we’re in a big period at the moment, which started with Farnborough.

“Obviously we have the likes of Braintree and Woking and in addition to playing Ebbsfleet in that period in the FA Trophy so it’s a really important period within our season, which will probably define our season in some respects so the forthcoming week with both Woking and going to the league leaders is going to be a challenging one for us but nevertheless one that we’re approaching both games with plenty of optimism.”

Bird added: “I think everybody expects Woking to do better than what they are but that said they’ve done exceptionally well in the FA Cup and proved potentially how good they are on Saturday against League opposition.

“It’s a game where we have to be at our best to win but if we play as we did on Saturday and with a bit of care in the last third of the field there’s every chance we can win the game.”

Then it’s the top-of-the-table clash away at Braintree on Saturday.

“Yes, first-versus-second. All goes well tomorrow then we’ll be both on the same amount of points,” said Bird.

“It’s too early to say it’s a six-pointer but it will be a big game for both clubs and a game, I’m sure, both sets of players are looking forward to.”

Former Braintree stopper Holloway looks likely to feature in both games.

“Wes isn’t fit tomorrow, he’s got a thigh strain, so he’ll miss the game tomorrow but Craig Holloway will come in and that’s coincided with Craig’s return to fitness and we replace one excellent goalkeeper with another so there’s no problems there,” said Bird.

“He’s got a really big period to come into but he’s an experienced goalkeeper and an excellent goalkeeper and we’ve got no concerns. He’s got a very important part of Bromley’s future and I’ve got every confidence he’ll do well in both games.”

Meanwhile, Aaron Fray (dislocated shoulder) and Leon McKenzie (suspended) are ruled out.

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net

Bromley v Woking

Blue Square Bet South

Tuesday 9th November 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF