There's more expecations on us this year, says Bromley boss Mark Goldberg

BROMLEY manager Mark Goldberg says his side will be competing for promotion again this season.

The Ravens exceeded all expectation when they finished in third-place in the Conference South last season, which was the club’s highest placing in seven seasons at that level.

Goldberg’s side finished with 80 points from their 42 games and missed out on the title by six points as Eastleigh went on to win the league title to join the non-league elite.

Bromley suffered a 4-0 defeat away to Ebbsfleet United in the play-off semi-final, before winning the home leg 1-0.

Dover Athletic joined the Spitfires in the Conference Premier after Nathan Elder scored against his former club at Stonebridge Road.

“Yes, I got over the play-off defeat, within 48 hours of the play-off defeat,” said Goldberg.

“We never dwell on anything. We just learn from everything and we move on.

“The reality is that when you look back in perspective, we’re very pleased to have achieved what we achieved last year.

“We were always punching beyond our weight throughout the whole of the season and if we never had a good season we wouldn’t be able to attract the good players that we’ve attracted this year so last year, all in all, was a success for us.”

Bromley open their pre-season campaign with a visit from League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge at Hayes Lane on Saturday.

“Pleased to get the games programme underway. It’s been a good start to the pre-season,” said Goldberg.

“The boys have come in fitter than I probably could have hoped for and we’ve managed to mix the fitness assessment with some good progressive fitness work as well as a little bit of ball work so they’ll be pleased to get out on the pitch and to see how they gel together.

“I’ll be looking for the first time to see how the new boys fit in to the existing core squad from last year.”

When asked how many players will take to the field against Wayne Burnett’s side, one that finished in a respectable ninth-place in League Two last season, Goldberg replied: “I only have 18-20 players available. We’ve only got seventeen signed players and three of our players are unavailable for various reasons for tomorrow anyway.

“Some players might get more game time than I would have liked at this stage for the first game but it’s just one of those things that you have to contend with.”

Unlike this time last season, expectations have risen through the roof at Hayes Lane this summer.

“There’s more expectations as far as I’m concerned,” said the Bromley boss.

“We want to keep improving. We’ve strengthened our squad from last year. We’ve been offered the opportunity to add a little bit more strength-in-depth.

“We’ve had a little bit more support in terms of sponsorships. We believed we’ve added to the squad last year so we’ll be competing again this year where as last year I don’t think nobody believed we would be competing for promotion other than my management team’s inner belief.”

Conference fixtures were published at three o’clock this afternoon and Bromley begin their Conference South campaign with a trip to Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday, 9 August.

The Hawks finished in sixth-place last season.

Bromley entertain Brighton-based Whitehawk at Hayes Lane on Tuesday, 12 August, before Basingstoke Town arrive on Saturday, 16 August.

Goldberg wants to get the campaign off in a positive manner.

“In a way, you can look at that fixture as being a tough game for the first fixture being away from home,” he said.

“That’s a kind of test that will be a good one for us. It doesn’t matter who you play really. Everybody is capable of beating any team on the day.

“This is the start of a long season and we’ll be looking to go there to at least get, not lose a game, at least get off to a good start.”

Meanwhile, the Daggers could possibly hand Bradley Goldberg an appearance against his former club.

The striker, who supported Bromley as a kid, scored 24 goals for the Ravens last season, which helped him scoop the Conference South Golden Boot.

Another Daggers’ summer-signing, Frankie Raymond, will make an emotional return to the town, having played for Glebe in the Kent Youth League earlier on in his career.

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net

Bromley  v  Dagenham & Redbridge
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 5^th July 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF