Nickname: The Ravens
Manager: Neil Smith
Stadium: Hayes Lane
League position: 2nd
The opposition
The Ravens have made a great start to the season and find themselves second in the MANarama National League with 29 points from their opening 15 matches. Neil Smith’s side has stumbled with two defeats in their last two matches but will be hoping to return to winning ways when they visit The Hive this evening.
Up until those previous two fixtures, Bromley were unbeaten in their opening 13 matches, before a serious injury to former Bee Mark Cousins coincided in this downturn in form. However, the Ravens have only lost out on the road to fellow high flyers Yeovil and are tough to breakdown on their travels as Smith’s side have drawn three of their seven matches away from Hayes Lane.
With the Bees coming into the game on a decent run of form after three matches unbeaten it is set to be an absolute cracker of a match at The Hive as both try to boost their promotion ambitions with a vital three points.
The Gaffer: Neil Smith
Smith took managerial duties on an interim basis at The Ravens in February 2016, before getting the job full-time in April of the same year, following a successful run of results. Since then Smith has guided his side to a 9th and 10th place finish in his two full seasons of charge of the club.
Smith enjoyed a decent playing career too, playing for the likes of Stevenage, Woking, Gillingham and his current side Bromely, making well over 500 senior appearances. He will be hoping to cement the Raven’s place in the play-off positions and make a real statement of intent to the supporters and the rest of the National League, as not many tipped our visitors to be in the position they are currently in.
Last time out
The last time the Bees hosted the Ravens, the game finished all square as Shaquile Coulthirst’s 71st minute goal canceled out Jordan Higgs opener for our visitors. The Ravens finished just one place above the Bees last season, only on goal difference as both finished 60 points.
One to watch – Michael Cheek
Cheek is the Raven’s top scorer with eight goals so far this season, the striker has netted in each of the previous three matches and will provide a big threat to the Bees backline. Last season Cheek netted 16 National League goals for Ebbsfleet before making the move to South London, where he will be hoping to fire the goals to gain promotion to the Football League.
Where to follow the action
There will be full live match commentary with Sam Avery and Will Evans on iBarnet from 19:40, so tune in if your not making the trip to The Hive this evening.
Alternatively, you can follow full-text updates over on the Bees official Twitter account, with behind the scenes content over on our Instagram channel.
REMINDER!
BFC Members can claim an extra ticket for tonight’s fixture up until 18:45 this evening. Tickets redeemable from the home ticket office.
