We seem to be doing better away from home, admits Bromley coach Neil Smith

BROMLEY assistant manager Neil Smith says he wants three points at Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday.



The Ravens booked their place in the FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Round for the first time since 2004 following their 2-0 win at Boreham Wood last night.

Bromley became the first non-league side to come away from Meadow Park with a victory after goals from Danny Waldren (penalty) and Joe Pigott sealed the victory against ten-man Boreham Wood, who had target-man Inih Effiong sent-off after 57 minutes for a second yellow card.

Bromley can now look forward to hosting Kidderminster Harriers at Hayes Lane in the last 32 on 15 December.

But before that, Bromley play four league games, starting with a trip to Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday.

Bromley are in nineteenth-place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South table, with 16 points from 14 games, although the Kent club have games in hand on many of their rivals’.

Havant & Waterloovile are two places above Mark Goldberg’s side and a win in Hampshire will see the Kent side leapfrog over their hosts.

“The only thing is we’ve won on a Monday so the boys get a nice couple of days’ off now before we come in on Thursday and we travel down there,” said Smith, 41.

“We know it’s going to be difficult. It’s always difficult down there but if the boys set their stall out like we did last night and touch wood, we seem to be doing better away from home.  It might give the boys a little bit of respite not to be at home looking for that next result.”

Striker, Louie Theophanous, 21, is now available to play for Bromley after arriving from Staines Town seven days ago, but was cup-tied for the two games against Boreham Wood, having played in The FA Carlsberg Trophy for the Swans.

Smith said: “We’re going to have a look at him. He’s got to come in and impress.  If he does come in he knows he’s got to get up to the standards straight away because the boys have put in a performance last night and are worthy of every one of them starting.

“We’re looking forward to him playing. I think he’s chomping at the bit at the moment to get his first start for us. We’ve had the cup games unfortunately but we’re looking forward to seeing him.  He scores goals. He knows how to put a goal away and that’s what we need to do.”

Bromley then travel to highflying Welling United on Tuesday, 4 December, before welcoming Hampshire outfit Farnborough to Hayes Lane on Saturday 8 December.

Smith is relishing his return to Park View Road to face Jamie Day’s Wings.

“They’re doing well again and Jamie’s done fantastic,” said former Welling United boss Smith.

“It’s a fantastic club They’ve got great support down there and Jamie’s just doing marvellous again after last year (finishing in third-place and losing to Dartford 1-0 in the play-off final).

“We know it’s going to be difficult. Obviously they’re going to be buoyant as well after the result they had (beating Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Newport County) in the Trophy but we’ve got to get this first game out of the way on Saturday. That’s going to be a tough game and we know that.”

Bromley appear to play with much more freedom on their travels and Smith wants his side to also put on decent performances at Hayes Lane.

“We can’t knock the support we’re getting,” said Smith.  “We want to do that at home. We want to do it in front of our own supporters.

“We keep saying it after every cup game. We want to make sure that they keep coming back in their droves because I think we’ve got a team that should do better than where we are.”

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net

Havant & Waterlooville  v  Bromley
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 1^st December 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Westleigh Park, Martin Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 5TH