MATCH PREVIEW – BROMLEY (A) | Boreham Wood Football Club

Bromley v Boreham Wood
Saturday 11^th September 2021, 3.00pm
Hayes Lane, Vanarama National League
Match Preview written by Aaron Bennis (BWFC Media Assistant)

THE CONTEXT

This Saturday, Wood look to return to winning ways after they were held to a draw with Stockport County during the international break.

The Ravens have had a fine start to the season, with a win, draw and defeat in each of their opening three games

Wood meanwhile are level on points with Dagenham & Redbridge at the top, sitting third in the table having won three and drawn one of their first four.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“THE DESTROYER”
BRYAN WEBSTER

A veteran defender, Webster came through the York City youth system initially as a striker and then as a midfielder, but left in 2007 after making just 21 appearances in three seasons. A difficult spell with Harrogate Town saw him briefly play for Whitby Town before a move abroad to play for Czech side Banik Most, where he was a regular in the team during his two seasons at the club. He finally returning to England after two years away when he moved to Doncaster Rovers, but he continued to find first team opportunities difficult to come by and he went on loan to Hereford United and Northampton Town, of which the latter made the move permanent following his release from Doncaster. This stint lasted just a season and he joined Yeovil Town ahead of the 2012/13 season, proving to be a wise decision as he played 53 times as the Glovers were promoted to the Championship for the first time in their history, with Webster starting in the play-off final victory over Brentford. He made a further 45 appearances as Yeovil were relegated back to League One, but his performances caught the eye despite his team’s shortcomings and he turned down a new contract at Huish Park to sign for Millwall, remaining in the second tier. He remained at the Den for five years and with the exception of a brief spell back at Yeovil on loan along with his parent club failing to retain their status as a Championship club, it was largely successful. He was able to help the club achieve promotion back to the Championship after a two-year absence, starting in another play-off final victory. His first team chances became limited towards the end of his time there, and he left during the 2018/19 season with 137 Lions’ appearances to his name. He began to drop down the leagues with half a season in League One with Scunthorpe United and then a year at League Two side Carlisle United, before eventually ending up in the National League with Bromley. He has been a regular fixture at the heart of the defence since signing for the club ahead of the 2020/21 season, and his assured performances at the back were crucial to the Ravens’ play-off challenge last time out.

“THE PLAYMAKER”
HARRY FORSTER

The youngster arrived at Bromley on an initial loan from Watford before making the move permanent, and has enjoyed a first taste of regular senior football since signing. Having joined the Hornets as an Under-11, he was part of the first team squad during their pre-season tour of Austria in 2018 and signed his first professional contract at the start of 2018/19. He made the pre-season squad again the following season and showed promise for the Under-23’s, being loaned out to St Albans City during the second half of 2019/20 to gain experience. The 21-year old signed a new one-year deal in the summer of 2020, agreeing a short-term move to Bromley a month later which was soon extended to the end of the season. Despite suffering a hamstring injury midway through the season, he made an unexpected return towards the end of it to play a key role in the Ravens’ push for the play-offs, enjoying a bright start to life as a Bromley player. Able to play as either a winger, attacking midfielder or full back, his pace, trickery and ability to change a game caught the eye and his stay at Hayes Lane was made permanent during the summer.

“THE FINISHER”
MICHAEL CHEEK

A proven goalscorer at National League level, Cheek made a name for himself at Heybridge Swifts where he earned a move to the National League South in Chelmsford City. An extremely successful stint at the Melbourne Stadium brought 35 goals in 66 appearances over a season and a half in claret, and he soon made a move to Braintree Town. His form showed no sign of slowing down as he scored 42 goals in 98 games for the Iron, helping them to an incredible third place finish in his first season at the club. His second didn’t go as swimmingly though, with his 19 goal haul being unable to prevent a dreadful campaign for Braintree and he left after their relegation to the National League South, with Dagenham & Redbridge being his next destination. Cheek spent a solitary season with the Daggers and once again found success in front of goal, netting 13 in all competitions, with a further 16 coming for Kent-based side Ebbsfleet United during 2018/19. By this point his prolific nature was evident and had given him a reputation of being one of the most reliable goalscorers at National League level. Having fired home over 160 goals since 2011 with over 100 coming in the top two tiers of non-league football, rivals Bromley moved quickly to bring in the striker after his release from the Fleet in what was a real statement of intent. He has gone on to play 87 times in just over two season at the club, scoring 39 goals and helping the Ravens reach the National League play-offs for the first time.

LAST TIME WE MET

Boreham Wood 1-1 Bromley
Tuesday 23^th February 2021
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League

Courtney Duffus’ second half strike was enough to cancel out Tyrone Marsh’s opener to give the two sides a point apiece.

It was a quiet but scrappy start that saw the visitors have the first attempt of the evening. Frankie Raymond’s effort was inadvertently deflected into the path of Michael Cheek, who tested Nathan Ashmore with a low drive from distance. The hosts were next to go close through Corey Whitley, who saw his effort blocked after he beat a couple of defenders to create space for himself. The Wood were able to break the deadlock however, taking the lead via a deflection from Chris Bush when Marsh fired home from the edge of the box on the 30-minute mark. Bromley came out of the break with more attacking intent, determined to find a way back into the game. This they did, levelling the score through Courtney Duffus who got on the end of a fizzing cross from Luke Coulson after Wood failed to clear, netting the all important equaliser just ten minutes into the second half. Bromley continued to cause problems, going close through Charlie Wakefield, Cheek, Joe Kizzi and Jack Holland, with Coulson in particular really running the show. It was Wood who nearly took the lead in the dying embers of the game though; Bush needing to be on hand to bravely meet a fierce strike from Marsh prior to Mark Cousins tipping over Kane Smith’s near post drive with an vital save, ensuring the points would be shared in an important fixture for both side’s play-off hopes.

PRE MATCH WORDS

HOW TO WATCH

MATCH TICKETS

All spectators MUST purchase their ticket for tomorrow’s fixture in advance. Gates will open at 13:30 and away ticket holders should enter via Away Fans Entrance/Exit 2.