Bromley will face Wrexham in the FA Trophy final on May 22 after a dramatic 3-1 semi-final win over York City at Hayes Lane yesterday.
The Ravens trailed to Kurt Willoughby’s second-minute opener until Michael Cheek equalised on the hour mark.
Cheek then put the home side ahead with nine minutes of normal time remaining, James Alabi sealing their trip to Wembley with a third in stoppage time.
“I’m chuffed for the town of Bromley, I’m chuffed for the chairman, who has backed me, and I’m chuffed for the people who have backed me,” said manager Andy Woodman. “We’ve had a little run that hasn’t been quite right but we’ve got a team, a manager and a coaching team with heart. We showed a real bit of belief in what we were doing second half. First half, we weren’t at the races.”
The half-time introduction of Alabi and Louis Dennis helped turn the tide of the contest in front of a crowd of 4.423.
“I’m delighted for Louis,” said Woodman. “He’s had a few injuries and it hasn’t quite been going for him. Everyone knows he carries the world on his shoulders sometimes. I’ve just told him: “You’ve been the difference today’. He was excellent.
“James Alabi….this is why we love this game. Liam Trotter was good, but I could single out everybody. Everyone, to a man, has been spot on.
“Bromley Football Club have got a staff and players who don’t know when they are beaten. That’s what fans want.”
Woodman opted to stay with the National League side earlier this season when Gillingham made an approach to talk to him about their managerial vacancy.
“We’ve got a club on the up,” he said. “And an owner who made me stay because I believe in him and he believes in me. When you have got that connection and know you are on the same page, why would I want to leave? We’ve got that right through the club. We’re trying to push this club into the league.
“We’ve got a day to look forward to now after a horrid two years that we’ve all had. We’re going to win that, by the way, we’re not going to lose – trust me. It’s not just a day out.
“We’ll worry about that nearer the time. We have got to try and get in the play-offs and do what we did in the second half with our league form.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD