Preview: Thurrock (H)
26 February 2011
On Saturday Bromley welcome a Thurrock team that have made great strides in 2011. Since the turn of the year, a team that seemed destined for relegation have won four, drawn two and lost only two games, both against in-form teams in Farnborough and Woking. Facing Bromley tomorrow is likely to be Marlon Patterson. Having been released from the Club last week, Patterson quickly agreed terms with the Essex outfit, ironically making his debut in the 1-1 draw with Chelmsford City during midweek.
Like Thurrock, Bromley also had a change of management early in 2011. Since Hayden Bird, Barry Moore and John Harding were confirmed as Mark Goldberg’s replacement, the team have won two, drawn two and lost two. The new management have made a steady start and made a number of changes in the process. In addition to changing personnel, (with up to five new players arriving at Hayes Lane), the team are getting to grips with a more patient approach. Hayden has been honest enough to admit that the players are taking time to adjust to the new ideas, using the example of our previous home game with Staines Town as an example.
That said, Bird feels the display at Dorchester Town was considerably improved. In addition to Nnamani, Ide, England, Harwood and Wedgeworth all making debuts, the team missed key players through injury. Henriques, Dolby, Sobers and Dunk all missed the trip through injury with Arron Fray and new boy Courtney Harris leaving the pitch early with injuries. Despite this, all of the supporters who made the long trip to Dorset witnessed a resilience the fans have not seen enough of since the start of the season. So much so, the Ravens left The Jewson Stadium disappointed to have had to settle for a point.
During the week, the mood on the training ground has been upbeat. With the exception of Sobers and Fray, all of the injured players have returned to training and on Tuesday were joined by James Fray, Jake Britnell and Omar McCleary-Stephens from the Academy. On both Tuesday and Thursday, the players worked hard in high tempo sessions, were in high spirits and are clearly in buoyant mood ahead of Saturday’s game. The new players are settling in and the Management used the midweek sessions to create a greater understanding of the new pattern of play.
A further boost for supporters arrived yesterday with confirmation that Warren McBean had been withdrawn from the transfer list. Trialist Jake Hall has also signed Blue Square Bet forms, having completed a successful trial. Jake’s previous clubs include Dagenham & Redbridge and Grays Athletic.
Image copyright: Mark Avenell
A very strange ground for this level of football, the Main Stand at Woodspring Stadium is located behind the goal and not on the sidelines as at most grounds. The ground has a large bar on entrance which you go into before entering the turnstiles. Inside the club house you will find two bars, one rather small one on the right with a pool table which is normally where the first arrivals go and a larger bar on the left which is usually more packed after a game and has a large screen projector to show Sky Sports.
On entering the ground, a small four row seating stand can be found in front of the clubhouse but the best view of the game at the ground can be found behind the goal in the large terraced Main Stand. Opposite the seated stand is a row of terracing and it is the same behind the other goal where there is only a small bit of terracing.
Directions:
By car: Whether you are coming from the North or South it is much easier to come off at junction 21 of the M5 and then follow a path straight ahead on the new dual carriageway heading towards the town centre. Keep going straight across three roundabouts continuing to head towards the town centre. At the 4th roundabout you will see a McDonalds on your left and a big Asda on your right, as you approach the roundabout turn left then as you come to a mini roundabout carry on straight across (2nd exit). Carry on over the railway bridge and you will see the new ground on your right hand side within a few hundred yards.
By Train: Weston-super-Mare station is about a 30 minute brisk walk from the ground. Come out of the station using the exit and platform opposite the main entrance. Walk along until you come to a busy roundabout (you should see Aldi on your left). Walk across the roundabout and head towards Halfords. Walk to the right of it following the road through the shopping area which includes Comet, Curry's, and Pets at Home. Keep walking until you go past the Kentucky Fried Chicken drive through and see a roundabout beyond it, walk past that and up to a mini roundabout. Turn right on the mini roundabout and carry on walking over the railway bridge and the ground is on your right hand side.
Admission prices:
Adults: £10.00
Concessions: £6.50
Under 16's: £2
Match day programme: £2.00
Woodspring Stadium
Winterstoke Road
Weston-super-Mare
Somerset
BS24 9AA
Telephone: 01934 621618
