Bromley manager Andy Woodman has called on his players to make their Hayes Lane ground an 'awkward' and 'ugly' place for Leicester City to visit this weekend. The Ravens host the Foxes for the first-ever League One meeting between the clubs, with Bromley sitting 22nd in the table on eight points after nine games.
Woodman acknowledged the scale of the challenge but insisted his team's focus is on their own performance. "Leicester are a top team," the Bromley boss said. "It's Bromley-Leicester. We've got to get on with it and we've got to make sure that we make it as awkward, as difficult and as ugly for any team that comes to Hayes Lane, because that could end up being the key to our success this season."
Bromley's recent results underline the task ahead. They have lost their last four matches in all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat at Stockport County last time out in the league. Their current league position of 22nd, with just two wins from nine games, leaves them 12 points adrift of leaders Bradford. The team has also struggled for goals, failing to score in three of their last five league outings.
Leicester, in contrast, arrive at Hayes Lane 14th in the table and on a four-match unbeaten run away from home. Their striker Emil Riis has found form with three goals in his last four matches. Manager Enzo Maresca has reportedly warned his players about the potential for a physical and direct challenge from the hosts. The fixture represents a stark contrast in stature, with Leicester's King Power Stadium holding five times the 6,100 capacity of Bromley's home ground.
Woodman's comments signal a clear tactical plan to disrupt Leicester's rhythm and leverage the tight confines of their home venue. The manager will not allow his players to be distracted by Leicester's own ambitions to climb the table. Key figures like Michael Cheek and Corey Whitely, who featured in a 2-2 draw with Dover Athletic back in 2022, remain part of the squad and will be central to executing that plan. Defender Byron Webster is a doubt for the match after missing training this week with a minor calf issue.
The match kicks off at Hayes Lane on Saturday, 20 October. It is the next fixture on Bromley's fixtures schedule as they look to end a difficult run of form. A club spokesperson confirmed ticket sales for the match have been strong, with only a limited number of seats remaining for home supporters.
Background and full detail: bbc.co.uk
