Kentish Football 
I’d love to see Bromley win the league, but I wouldn’t put any money on it, says Hayden Bird
Thursday 23rd December 2010
BROMLEY assistant manager Hayden Bird says the only hangover he is suffering from at the moment is their embarrassing away defeat to Weston-super-Mare in their last game, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Lillywhites were left stunned by a 7-0 defeat in Somerset in their last game on 11 December and Bird wants a reaction when FA Cup heroes and promotion chasing Dover Athletic visit Hayes Lane on Boxing Day (3pm).
“It’s been really disappointing having the Maidenhead game postponed,” Bird told www.kentishfootball.co.uk, before adding, “Everybody was keen to respond in a positive way after the Weston game and we were hoping to get that game out of our system as quickly as we can, so it’s been a bit of a hangover.
“We’re very hopeful that the Dover game will go ahead and we can put it behind us with a good result.”
Following the visit of Martin Hayes’ Dover, Bromley will travel to Welling United two days later, before travelling to Dover on New Year’s Day and then welcoming Bishop’s Stortford to Hayes Lane on 3 January 2011.
Bird said: “It’s going to be a really difficult Christmas period. There’s no doubt that Dover and Welling are good sides, very strong sides, both sides that will have genuine play-off aspirations, if not title aspirations.
“Bishop’s Stortford have taken us close twice now, in the FA Cup and during the league game, when we won 1-0, it was a tough game.
“Everyone is anticipating a difficult Christmas period.”
Bromley go into Christmas in second place (or joint-top) in the Blue Square Bet South league table, with 33 points from 17 games, level on points with Braintree Town, who have a game in hand.
“I think it’s been an excellent season so far,” said Bird. “The second half of last season was obviously disappointing for everyone but that said I think that people have learnt lessons in that period and that helped us to adjust one or two things in the summer to ensure that we improved this season.
“I think it’s all been really positive for the club and it gives us a platform to build on.”
With four games in only eight days, the Bromley squad will be stretched to cope with such a gruelling schedule.
“Bromley doesn’t have the biggest squad anyway, but everybody is important and everybody will have a role to play in the next four league fixtures, there’s no question of that,” added Bird.
Bromley’s three Kent derbies will certainly be well supported, both home and away.
“Every one of the games we’re playing over Christmas there will be a healthy attendance,” predicted Bird.
“Dover have done extremely well in the FA Cup, they may have one eye on the Huddersfield fixture and Welling are a good side. “Off-the-field they’ve (Welling) obviously had their difficulties so it’s good to see they’re coming through them and Jamie Day and his team have done an extremely good job to make sure everyone’s focusing on affairs on the pitch and I think they’re one of the best sides we’ve played.
“It’s going to be a big test for us but in some respects it’s a perfect time we’re playing these clubs in view of the disappointing result at Weston.”
When asked whether his side can go all the way and clinch the league title, Bird replied, “We may have surprised one or two people that we’re in the play-off’s, but now we are in that position we’ll be doing everything in our power to build on our start and bring some success to Hayes Lane.
“I think there are probably other club’s stronger than us to be fair. I’d love to see Bromley win the league, but I wouldn’t put any money on it.”
Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net
Bromley v Dover Athletic
Blue Square Bet South
Boxing Day, Sunday 26 December 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd