15thaug03

Friday 15th August 2003

Bromley are ready for Croydon

by Stephen McCartney

www.kentishfootball.co.uk

In a repeat of the opening day fixture last season, Bromley make the short journey to Croydon Sports Arena to play Croydon on Saturday (3pm) as Bromley embark on their Ryman League Division One South campaign.

Last season, a late goal from substitute Adolph Amoako salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw, and Bromley will be looking for a victory this time around to get their season off to a flying start.

Bromley manager, Stuart McIntyre and his squad have learnt from last season's experience, where they gained only one point from their opening four league games.

In the end, this poor return at the start of last season saw Bromley finish in the top six.

Bromley put some silverware in the Hayes Lane trophy cabinet last season, winning the London Senior Cup in April. A first half match winning strike from Kirk Watts gave the Ravens a 1-0 victory over Ryman League Premier Division side Ford United.

Bromley's Danny Smith, John Myatt and Colin Luckett were sent off in the Dagenham & Redbridge Final, and although Myatt is out injured, Smith and Luckett will miss the opening three games of this season due to suspension.

Hornchurch, in the same division as Ford United, come to Hayes Lane in the third round of the London Senior Cup as Bromley defend their trophy.

In other news, Bromley, who reached the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Cup last season, have been drawn at home to Dartford in the first round of this season's competition.

Bromley, who will be wearing black and white striped shirts this season, won their first piece of silverware of the season last Tuesday, beating Romford 2-1 to lift the annual Wembley Cup competition, the Ravens third in concession.

Bromley took the lead after 59 minutes when Kirk Watts was brought down inside the penalty area and his older brother, Grant, placed the resulting penalty to the motionless goalkeeper's left.

Bromley doubled their score after 80 minutes when Mark Willy played a long ball for Bobby George to chase. After beating the last defender, he cut inside the goalkeeper and rolled the ball inside the far post.

Romford scored two minutes later when Michael Daniels fired low into the far corner of Danny Harwood's net.

Bromley's first Ryman League Division One South game at Hayes Lane is against Lewes on Tuesday 19 August (7.45pm). Admission prices are £7 adults, £4 oap's and students, and kids for £1.

McIntyre, assisted by Eddie Saunders, has made some very valuable acquisitions in the summer.

Central defender, Dean Forbes, has returned to the club from league rivals Tooting & Mitcham United and has been a solid rock at the heart of Bromley's defence and as skipper of the side he commands commitment from the rest of his team-mates.

McIntyre has also added South African defender Steve Potterill, Mark Willy (from Cray Wanderers), Tony Reid (Lewes), Joe Wade (Bromleians Sports) and Tommy Ellis (Croydon Athletic).

Dean Frost has appeared in a couple of pre-season friendlies after recovering from a knee injury which kept him out of action for the whole of last season.

Former Wimledon winger, Bobby Nolan, former Margate midfielder Michael Azzopardi and Corinthian-Casuals striker Jamie Goodwin have been training and playing pre-season matches for Bromley.

Mark Willy has signed a contract for Bromley, despite interest from Dr Martens League side Welling United, and joins Colin Luckett, Steve Potterill, Adolph Amoako, David Smith, Gary Drewett, Dean Forbes on contracts at the Hayes Lane club.

Former Cray Wanderers midfielder, Mark Hammond played for Bromley in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Romford, after his release from Nationwide Conference newboys, Aldershot Town.

Leaving Bromley is goalkeeper Chuck Martini, forwards Wade Falana, Jerome Bennett and Ayoub Khalouq and the experienced Billy Manuel has joined Waltham Forest. Central defender, Mark Harris has retired from playing following a long career.

Goalkeepers Danny Harwood, Andy Hunt and Rob O'Hara have all been in competition for the goalkeepers jersey this season following Martini's departure after only one season at Hayes Lane.

But it appears that Harwood will be first choice goalkeeper this season with O'Hara waiting in the wings.

O'Hara, who played for Bromleians Sports in the British Energy Kent County League last season, made several fine saves in Bromley's goal-less draw at home to Grays Athletic last Saturday against the professional side from the Ryman League Premier Division.

Building up to Saturday's big kick off, Stuart McIntyre, Bromley manager said: "I think we are ready for Saturday's game at Croydon. I think it's a little unfortunate that the weather has been so warm, which means the game becomes a little more level than it would be in decent football playing conditions, but we just have to go there and deal with these conditions."

Bromley played Grays Athletic last Saturday in stifling conditions at Hayes Lane and fought out a 0-0 draw. Bromley started the first half brightly but the heat put paid to attacking football in the second half, as McIntyre used twenty-one players for the match.

McIntyre, pleased with the performance, said: "Last Saturday's game against Grays Athletic was as hot as it's likely to ever be but we played well especially in the first half."

McIntyre added: "The most important thing is we have got twenty-two players and everybody is of the right standard. We won't lose a key player and drop any points. We have got quality matched up in almost every position in the team.

"I am much happier with the squad now at this stage than I was this time last year.

"I feel we are ahead of the game in preparation and we are playing football, knocking the ball well and I think the goals will come." insisted McIntyre.

Bromley go into Saturday's game at Croydon following pre-season wins over Boreham Wood (2-0), Kingstonian (2-1), Tilbury (3-2) and Romford (2-1). The Ravens drew one game, 0-0 against Grays Athletic, and their defeats were against Go Travel Kent League sides, Beckenham Town 3-2 at Hayes Lane and 2-0 at Thamesmead Town.

BROMLEY FOOTBALL CLUB OPENING RYMAN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH FIXTURES

Sat 16 Aug Croydon vs Bromley 3.00pm at Croydon Sports Arena

Tue 19 Aug Bromley vs Lewes 7.45pm at Hayes Lane

Sat 23 Aug Bromley vs Molesey 3.00pm at Hayes Lane

Mon 25 Aug Ashford Town (Middlesex) 3.00pm at Short Lane, Stanwell, Middlesex

vs Bromley