It was a masterclass – Bromley boss Andy Woodman thrilled with win at Gillingham

Bromley boss Andy Woodman was proud as punch after his side highlighted their title credentials with a 4-1 hammering of Kent rivals Gillingham.

The Sky Bet League Two leaders were three goals to the good inside the opening half an hour as Ben Thompson bagged a brace before Corey Whitely added a third.

Bradley Deck pulled one back on the stroke of half-time, but all hopes of a famous fightback were extinguished when Thompson completed his first English Football League hat-trick.

“It was a masterclass,” praised Woodman. “We did a job on Gillingham.

“Everyone tells me we only score from set plays and we’re one-dimensional, well the quality of the finishing was brilliant.

“It’s not just one-sided, 4-1 job done, we still had to defend and when those moments came the guys put their bodies on the line and Grant (Smith) made some big saves when needed.

“Ben Thompson was phenomenal today. The third one was some goal.

“They are a good group. I’m delighted with what they’re about. They just need to keep ploughing through.

“I keep reminding everybody that we haven’t achieve anything yet. It’s another result and another result closer to where we want to get to.

“I’m going to keep demanding from this group. It’s quiet in that dressing room because we haven’t achieved anything yet.

“We don’t bang on the walls, there’s no music blaring, we’re a respectful group. When we get to where we want to get to then we’ll have that party.”

It was the worst defeat since Gareth Ainsworth took over in March as the Gills slumped to only their third home league defeat under the manager.

The deflated boss held his hands up and said: “Listen, I pick the team so it’s on me that one.

“I am gutted for the fans because I know how gutted they will be with that one with it being two teams in Kent.

“Bromley are top of the league and showed a lot of why they are top of the league.

“There was some unrecognisable stuff from us. We have been so good lately.

“That’s probably our worst home performance for quite some time. Defensively we weren’t good at all.

“I’m the manager. I protect these boys because they give me everything, but we didn’t get it right today.

“The damage was done in the first half. We were 3-0 down in 27 minutes and I thought it could have been worse.

“I’ll have a good look at myself first. We had a chance to rise up the table, get near the play-offs.

“We still have a chance. It’s a two-year plan and people will be patient, but I wanted it in this first year. That’s the type of person I am.”