Gary Johnson’s side will be looking to bounce back on Saturday when United are back on the road to face Bromley in front of the BT Sport cameras.
Who’s the Boss?
Andy Woodman was appointed as the Raven’s manager in March after spending 15 years gaining coaching experience at West Ham, Charlton, Newcastle and Arsenal.
Upon his arrival, the side were 10th in the table, four points outside the play-off places and by the end of the season, Woodman had steered the Kent side into the final play-off place, before being overcome by Hartlepool at the eliminator stage.
The 50-year-old’s coaching career began in 2006 at Rushden & Diamonds where he was assistant manager before moving on to be goalkeeper coach at West Ham United. Following this Woodman went on to spend three years at Charlton Athletic before being appointed at Newcastle United. After five years at St James’ Park, Woodman opted for a move back South to join the coaching staff at Crystal Palace. In 2018, he was appointed Head of Goalkeeping at Arsenal where he remained until taking the helm at Bromley earlier this year.
Woodman’s Bromley side have had a bright start so far this season and currently sit 6th in the table, with 16 points from 8 games. The Ravens have won their last four games and have only lost two so far this season.
Player to Watch
Michael Cheek is a renowned goalscorer and has proved this in the Ravens opening eight games. The 33-year-old has played every minute of Bromley’s season so far, netting eight goals in the process.
The forward arrived at Hayes Lane in the summer of 2019 and is currently enjoying his third season at the club. Cheek began his career at Heybridge Swifts before spending one and a half seasons at Chelmsford City where he scored 35 goals in 66 appearances, before moving on to Braintree Town where he made 98 appearances and scored 42 goals.
In 2017, Cheek went on to sign for Dagenham & Redbridge where he remained for one season, and spent the following season at Ebbsfleet United before signing on at Hayes Lane in 2019.
Played for Both
Currently in his fourth season at Plainmoor, Ben Wynter previously spent one season with the Kent outlet during the 2017/18 campaign. The 23-year-old has established himself as a favourite amongst United supporters and has made over 100 appearances for United.
Wynter made 14 appearances for the Ravens before signing on at Plainmoor early in the summer of 2018.
He began his career in the youth ranks at Crystal Palace before signing his first professional contract with the side in 2016.
Previous Encounter
Bromley 1 – 2 United, 10th October 2020, National League.
The last time United travelled to Hayes Lane, Gary Johnson’s side condemned the Ravens to their first defeat of the season following a second half comeback.
United had opened the game brightly and enjoyed most of the possession in the opening fifteen minutes, however it was the home side who took the lead in the 18th minute when Byron Webster teed up a firm right-footed effort from 15 yards out.
United were not deterred and continued to press the Bromley defence and United came close to equalising on numerous occasions but were held off by the home side and entered the interval 1-0 down.
Gary Johnson’s side were fast out of the blocks in the second half and continued to apply the pressure and were rewarded just after the hour mark. Plymouth Argyle loanee Adam Randell levelled the scores in the 61st minute, Ben Wynter went on a run down the right flank before squaring the ball for Randell who drove his shot into the top corner.
The Ravens defended well to deny United a second, however, there were Gary Time antics to come. A challenge on Gary Warren inside the box was deemed too physical and United found themselves with a chance to grab the winner from the penalty spot in the third minute of stoppage time. It was Danny Wright who sent the Bromley keeper the wrong way and saw United earn their first win on the road.