Boxing Day football at the Kuflink Stadium provides that perfect post-Christmas platform, with the Fleet meeting Bromley in the first of two consecutive derby matches. Having come up against one of his old sides Barnet last week and scored his first ever professional goal at York, there’s no let up for goalkeeper Mark Cousins who prepares for a double-header against another old club starting this Boxing Day.
Form Guide
Bromley sit second in the Vanarama National League but are 10 points behind league leaders Chesterfield who still have two games in hand. Fleet fans would have been able to watch Bromley’s latest match as they hosted Altrincham live on TNT Sports this weekend and the Ravens thought they would claim the three points as Olufela Oladele’s second-half brace put the hosts in front but a late strike from Alex Newby salvaged a point for the visitors. Bromley – the only side we have yet to play this season – will also be without midfielder Jude Arthurs for the festive matches as he received a red card for a reckless challenge in the second-half of that one.
Meeting again on Boxing Day
In 2017 the Fleet hosted Bromley on Boxing Day with the three points going in favour of the hosts. Jack Powell opened the scoring in an eventful first-half but Louis Dennis quickly snatched an equaliser. However, the Fleet restored with the eventual winner courtesy of Danny Kedwell, all within the first half-hour. The only other Boxing Day meeting between the clubs was a goalless draw at Hayes Lane in 2013.
Who’s who?
Between the posts is ex-Boreham Wood keeper Grant Smith, who arrived at Hayes Lane at the beginning of the season having spent two years at Yeovil Town. A former Reading and Fulham academy prospect, Smith has since made 23 appearances for the Ravens to keep the gloves ahead of young Chelsea loanee Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
Captain and experienced centre-back Byron Webster has played 120 times since his arrival in 2020 from Carlisle United and he had a long spell with Millwall, playing in the same defence as Joe Martin.
Wide players for Bromley include ex-Fleet pair Corey Whitely and recent arrival Myles Weston who made a surprise move from Dagenham just before Christmas.
Up front is former Fleet striker Michael Cheek. Making the move to Bromley in 2019 from the Kuflink Stadium, Cheek spent just one season with the Fleet, scoring 16 times. Since his arrival at Bromley, Cheek has established himself as one of the foremost strikers in the League and earned the golden boot in 2020/21. Oladele, signed from Wealdstone, has been the man in form, however, with seven goals since his October move. Bromley have also just signed Maidstone top scorer Levi Amantchi but he is currently injured, joining the suspended Arthurs and long-term casualty Mitchel Bergkamp, son of Dutch legend Dennis, who won’t feature.
Bromley have relied on a few loanees so far this season who will either be returning to parent clubs or whose deals need renewing in January but one already returned is defender Deji Elerewem who returned to Charlton earlier this month.
The manager
Andy Woodman has held the reins at Bromley since 2021 when he replaced Neil Smith and will take charge of his 145th match for Bromley when they meet the Fleet at the Kuflink. A former goalkeeper, he steered Bromley to FA Trophy success and a play-off place last season.
Club connections
There are a few of them as ever between the clubs – Saturday’s Fleet goalscorer Mark Cousins will come up against familiar faces on Boxing Day as he spent three years at Bromley before joining the Fleet in 2022. And Weston and Whitely as previously mentioned are likely to see some minutes at least against their former club.
Ticketing
Tickets can be bought online here up until kick-off (the match is segregated so please select HOME or AWAY options as necessary) and also on the day at our ticket windows. Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. Programmes can be pre-ordered online with your ticket, or from our online shop here. In the ground, you can purchase in the club shop, just past the main home turnstiles, at the Plough End social club and for away fans in the Old Sponsors Lounge/portakabin bar.
Supporters are reminded that alcohol will not be permitted to be consumed within view of the pitch and that matches will be segregated as required at the Swanscombe End (or the far end of it). Please cooperate with the instructions of our security team and stewards.
Turnstiles open at 1pm.
