United return to action at Plainmoor tomorrow when Gary Johnson’s side host eighth place Bromley.
Who’s the Boss?
Andy Woodman began his coaching career as Assistant Manager at Rushden & Diamonds in 2006, before more than a decade of coaching experience followed at the likes of West Ham, Charlton Athletic, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, and Arsenal.
Woodman has been at the helm at Hayes Lane since last March and guided Bromley into the final play-off position after the side had been 10th, four points adrift of the play-offs at the time of his arrival. After losing out to Hartlepool at the eliminator stage last season, Woodman will no doubt be looking to be in the play-offs again this season.
How Have They Been Doing?
Bromley have been going well so far this season and currently sit in 8th. After 28 games, the Ravens have 15 wins, 6 draws and 7 losses. After a recent draw at Weymouth (2-2), and a 3-1 loss at home to Stockport, the South-East London side will be looking to get back on track in their play-offs pursuit.
Player to Watch
Experienced centre-back Byron Webster has been a stalwart in the Bromley defence and has scored 3 goals in 27 league appearances so far this season. The 34-year-old signed on at Hayes Lane in September 2020 and brought a wealth of Football League experience with him.
Webster progressed through the youth ranks at York City and signed his first professional deal with the side in 2004 where he remained until 2007, before spells at Harrogate and Whitby Town followed. He then opted for a move to the Czech Republic, spending two seasons with FK Banik Most, tallying 4 goals in 49 appearances before moving to Doncaster Rovers in 2009 including loan spells at Hereford United and Northampton Town.
After playing under Gary Johnson at Northampton, Webster rejoined him in 2012 at Yeovil Town. A successful season at Huish Park saw him be part of the promotion-winning side at Wembley in the League One Play-Off Final. He spent one season with the Glovers in the Championship before a five year spell at Millwall where he made 138 appearances and scored 8 goals. The 34-year-old went on to enjoy stints at Scunthorpe United and Carlisle United before his move to Bromley.
Played for Both
Josh Rees enjoyed two spells with the Ravens; totalling over 80 appearances for the South-East London side he was a key component in the side that progressed to the Final of the FA Trophy in 2018. The 2017/18 campaign saw Rees record his career best statistics to date, with 20 goals in 55 appearances.
The 28-year-old began his career at Arsenal where he remained in their youth system for 11 years between 2001 and 2012. Rees secured a three-year deal at Nottingham Forest but departed in 2016 after one senior appearance in a bid for regular first team football. During his time at Forest he enjoyed loan spells at Nuneaton Town but also had a short spell at Plainmoor towards the end of the 2015/16 campaign where he made 21 appearances with 1 goal for United.
The midfielder also spent one season in the National League South with Chelmsford City where he made 49 appearances and scored 7 goals. Rees went on to spend one season in League One with Gillingham and more recently spent last season at Aldershot where he totalled 13 goals in 41 appearances, before moving on to his current club Boreham Wood last summer.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 1 – 0 Bromley, Tuesday 9th August 2016, National League
In the second game of the 2016/17 campaign, Ben Gerring’s header three minutes before half time marked his first goal for the club, and was also enough to see Kevin Nicholson’s United side take all three points at Plainmoor.
In the 42nd minute, Gerring got on the end of an Aman Verma corner to propel the side into the lead. However Bromley’s best chance of the game had come moments before through Adam Cunnington, but United enjoyed many chances.
Brett Williams rattled the crossbar on his home debut, Dan Sparkes and Nathan Blissett also went close in the second half.
TUFC: 1. Brendan Moore, 3. Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, 4. Damon Lathrope (7. Sam Chaney 46′), 6. Ben Gerring, 8. Luke Young, 9. Nathan Blissett, 10. Courtney Richards, 11. Dan Sparkes, 12. Aman Verma, 14. Brett Williams (18. Jamie Reid 62′), 15. Sean McGinty.