Andy Woodman sensing nerves in Bromley’s title run-in

Andy Woodman expressed his delight as his Bromley side kept up their push for automatic promotion in League Two.

A solitary first-half goal from Will Hondermarck was all Bromley needed to win the game and cement their grip on top spot.

Bromley manager Woodman said: “I thought we were good and unlucky to not get a second goal. I can sense a bit of nerves and anxiety around the place but we are 19 games unbeaten and unbeaten at home and bang on target for where I want us to be.

“Bristol Rovers were never going to come here and roll over and I’m glad we were able to get this out of the way.

“Defensively I thought our two centre backs were brilliant and set the tone for what we wanted to achieve today, they helped us control the game. Will Hondermarck has been scoring goals regularly in training and I selected him for his goal threat so I was delighted for him to get the winner today.”

Bromley started quickly with Ashley Charles’ deflected drive going inches over the crossbar but they did not have to wait long to take the lead, Will Hondermarck’s strong drive and finish on the angle proving too hot for Brad Young to deal with 18 minutes into the game.

Fabrizio Cavegn did well to work space on the half hour and draw a sharp save from Grant Smith at his near post but it was Bromley who came closest to a second goal, Corey Whitely shooting wide with the goal gaping after great work from Nicke Kabamba and Mitchell Pinnock.

Whitely again went close on the hour mark seeing his shot saved by Young before Jesse Debrah’s follow up was cleared off the line.

As Rovers pressed late on for an equaliser, joe Quigley volleyed over at the back post but their hopes were extinguished with Shaq Forde’s sending off, the substitute receiving two yellow cards.

Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans said: “We were second best in the first half but we made some changes and there is no doubt we were the best team in the second half.

“We created some good chances but we didn’t take any of them. I thought in the second 45 we were great on the ball but didn’t make it count. We lost (Tommy) Leigh and (Alfie) Kilgour before kick off which hurt us as we had worked on a system and pattern so we had to change things at the last minute and we looked like that kind of team in the first half.

“Shaq Forde’s sending off was silly but not malicious, I thought the referee could have perhaps managed it better but there really wasn’t much in the game. Bromley took their chance but that aside there wasn’t anything else in the game.”