We've got to be well prepared for the play-offs as we can, says proud Bromley boss Mark Goldberg
Sunday 20th April 2014
BROMLEY manager Mark Goldberg says he’s feeling proud after leading the club to their highest ever finish in seven seasons in Conference South.The Ravens are expected to finish in third-place in the Skrill South table after collecting their 74th point of the season, against relegation threatened Tonbridge Angels yesterday.
Striker Bradley Goldberg, 20, scored his 23rd goal of the season to give the Ravens a ninth minute lead, after former Bromley keeper Lewis Carey spilt Rob Swaine’s goal-bound header at the near post.
Tonbridge Angels equalised through Alex Teniola but a string of fine saves from Carey denied Bromley the victory and kept the Angels fighting for their lives going into their trip to Chelmsford City on Easter Monday, where a draw or defeat will relegate Tommy Warrilow’s side.
Bromley fought tooth and nail with big-spending full-time outfit Eastleigh for the title, but a defensive crisis hit the club in March and the club had no strength-in-depth to cope so the Spitfires went on to claim the league title and go into the last two games sitting 12 points clear of Bromley.
Bromley welcome Bishop’s Stortford to Hayes Lane on Easter Monday, before travelling to FA Trophy runners-up Gosport Borough next Saturday, safe in the knowledge that the club will contest the play-off lottery at the end of the season.
Bromley suffered their first of 12 league defeats against Bishop’s Stortford on August Bank Holiday Monday.
Goldberg said: “We failed to deal with them at their place although we also had some goalscoring opportunities of our own.
“They played the 3-5-2 and we learnt from that game and what we’ve learnt from them recently and hopefully we’ll put on a better performance against them on Monday.”
Goldberg was quick to thank the Bromley supporters for their large support at Longmead Stadium yesterday and throughout the season.
“The Bromley fans have been there and their certainly behind us and they certainly seen that they’re helping supporting us through to the play-offs now.”
Goldberg may make changes to his starting line-up for their last two league games ahead of the nail-biting two-legged semi-final and hopefully a play-off final on 10 May.
He said: “I’m going to give some game time to people that need it, maybe, I’m going to think about that over the weekend.
“I still want to learn a couple of things so for me these are important games to learn what we can.
“Hopefully we can finish third and be proud of ourselves.”
As things stand going into the last week of the regular season, Bromley could potentially travel to Ebbsfleet United in the first leg on Wednesday 30 April, before playing the second leg at Hayes Lane on Saturday 3 May.
The other semi-final could be between league runners up Sutton United and Dover Athletic, but Havant & Waterlooville are also in the play-off mix.
“All of us are prepared to wit ourselves against each other and at the end of the day it’s about the team, the players and the squad and I think everybody is capable of beating everybody but on our day we’ve got to be as well prepared as we can.”
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Bromley v Bishop’s Stortford
Skrill South
Easter Monday 21st April 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF