Non-league football round up: Bromley boss demands more recognition as they attempt to chase down National League pacesetters

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Bromley travel to Maidenhead United tomorrow looking to close the gap to runaway National League leaders Chesterfield.

Andy Woodman’s side rounded off 2023 by recording an emphatic 5-1 win at home to Ebbsfleet last Saturday.

Goals from Michael Cheek, Arsenal loanee Alex Kirk, Olufela Olomola and a brace from Ben Krauhaus saw the Ravens collect all three points.

Bromley are unbeaten in their last seven outings and are second in the National League, but table-toppers Chesterfield are seven points clear and have two games in hand.

“One thing that probably frustrates me a little bit is that we don’t get the respect we deserve,” said Woodman after the Ebbsfleet win.

“We’re a really good team – we have a nice balance and mix of how we play. We showed what a good football team we are today.

“We shouldn’t underestimate what these boys are doing for this football club with the performances and the level of work they’re putting in.

“The players and my staff have sacrificed Christmas this year. I know it’s our job, but we haven’t cut any corners this year to make sure we got the maximum of what we could from the performances.”

Dulwich Hamlet will be looking to bounce back against Hashtag United after their 2-1 defeat at Chatham Town last time out on New Year’s Day.

Adrian Clifton opened the scoring for Hakan Hayrettin’s side in the 52nd minute but an equaliser from former Charlton striker Chris Dickson and a 90th-minute strike from Reece Butler gave the hosts all three points.

Dulwich are 11th in the Isthmian League Premier and are nine points behind fifth-placed Billericay, who have played three matches fewer and occupy the final play-off spot.

Welling United ended a three-game losing streak last weekend after scoring a 96th-minute equaliser through Moussa Diarra in a 1-1 draw with mid-table Dartford.

The Wings, are winless in seven in the National League South and eight points from safety.

Danny Bloor’s side host Aveley tomorrow.

“Points on the board is what breeds confidence,” Welling assistant boss Ben Austin told the club’s website.

“It’s been tough – there is no denying it. We spent the first half of the season talking about how well we have played in games and deserved more, but it’s hard to keep installing that mentality into the players about putting performances first and things will turn.

“We hate losing games of football but getting that point will hopefully give the boys a bit of belief that we can get a result in the next game.

“We have to turn some of our performances into results. I would confidently say that in the first half of the season there are probably between 12 to 15 points that we have chucked away in games just through a bit of a lack of quality in both boxes.

“There is no secret that the squad needs bolstering – we need a bit more quality. We have had half a season and lacked a bit of quality in both ends.

“We feel as though we’re in the majority of games and play some decent football, but it’s a results business.”

Cray Wanderers host Lewes tomorrow after they played out a goalless draw at home to Hastings United in the Isthmian League Premier on New Year’s Day.

Danny Waldron scored a 90th-minute winner in a 1-0 win against Sevenoaks as Cray Valley Paper Mills extended their Isthmian League South East Division unbeaten run to 15 games.

Steve McKimm’s side are second in the table and nine points behind leaders Ramsgate, but the Eltham-based side have two games in hand.

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