Monthly Archives: January 2009

A beautifully taken goal by Lee Milton during the early flurries against Otford Reserves looked to have provided the platform for the Green Reserves to keep up the pressure at the top of the table. However, the visitors gradually assumed control and the Green seemed to lose all direction after an equaliser; at times appearing as a group of individuals with scant team cohesion. A Syd Beale own goal early in the second period summed up the day and, although all three subs were introduced to try and turn the tide, the final half hour was painful viewing for manager Alfie Pickard and home supporters as Otford cut through almost at will. A 5-1 home defeat was not in the script with Jimmy Pickard lamenting “This all started at Lydd, before then we were cruising along”. Meanwhile first team boss Dave Smith was blunt concerning the 3-0 cup loss away to Hollands & Blair : “We were very poor”. Details to follow.

In the hope that the weather and underground conditions are kinder than of late, the Green have a terrific weekend of football lined up, including three attractive home fixtures. Facing a daunting task are the Saturday firsts who once again travel to Hollands & Blair for an Inter Regional Challenge Cup clash and, whilst a win will be a tonic, it is league points that are now becoming a real priority. Last time out a trouncing of New Romney suggested the lads are running into form and if that confidence is maintained a shock win is not out of the question. Alfie Pickard and Trent Thomas will be anxious to return to winning ways when the seconds welcome Otford Reserves to the Swan Ground. Veteran campaigner Mick Filmer takes the whistle for a tussle where nothing less than maximum spoils will be enough with an incredible eight sides all in with a shout of the title. Sunday sees another duel between the Green and neighbours Kennington in the quarter-final of the Premier Cup with Steve Mailey in charge at the Swan Ground for the first time. The squad will be without Liam Holman through work commitments but Mailey is playing his cards close to his chest over team selection and could spring a surprise!  The returning Matt Coglan, who has transferred over as cover, will not however be in the  squad.  The Sunday Reserves are away to Wye Wanderers with Phil Wedge boosted by the availability of Glen Rolfe who is cup tied for the Premier Cup. Definite non-starters are the suspended duo of Charlie Clark and Matt Wedge. Rounding off a fascinating two days of action, the title-chasing Under 16 boys welcome Easterners for a Molten East Kent Youth League fixture (2pm).

* Editor’s note: apologies to Liam Whiting…information published earlier taken from another source was clearly incorrect

After a short gap in publishing we are pleased to be back and my thanks go to Vice President Mike Perk who has gone to an enormous amount of trouble to make sure we are up and running and providing our many  readers with their usual feed of news, stats and views. I hope you like the new site and please contact myself or Terry with any suggestions to keep improving. Welcome back! DH

Talking exclusively to The Green Lane, Steve Mailey has told how he is looking forward to his new role as the Sunday first team manager at The Green. Officially taking over after last Sunday’s 4-2 win at his old club Ashford Cavaliers, Steve said ‘I cannot wait to get going and am excited at the prospect of working with the obvious abundance of talent within the club. I am well aware of the expectations at Bromley Green and that is part of the attraction…it really was too much of a good opportunity to allow to pass me by. I intend to take an interest in the whole playing side of the club but with the Sunday firsts I have inherited a large and talented squad to gel into a group of winners again…indeed being a part of the rebuilding programme, on and off the field, is a new challenge for me to test myself.’

Club Patron Dave Homewood said ‘Myself and the chairman Stan Donald are delighted Steve is back with us. He has had two successful previous spells with our youth sides and will offer the long-term guidance, stability and commitment we as a club always seek in our managers. To put the record straight, Steve has not been appointed just because we are mates; neither of us work like that. No, in all honesty I think he needed a new challenge and perhaps had taken Cavaliers as far as possible last season with their fine league run and two cup finals. Terry [Perk] and myself will still be involved in supportive roles to Steve with the Sunday firsts whenever possible.’

Steve Mailey begins his role with a mouthwatering home Premier Cup clash against neighbours Kennington next Sunday (10.30am). Apart from Jason Thomas who is out for a long spell, injuries at last seem to be easing and there are no suspensions other than Matt Wedge and Charlie Clarke. Watch this space as the new manager could be bringing in at least one fresh signing!

The Green are just three points behind the leaders with a game in hand and hungry for the East Kent Youth League title! Only an injury to skipper Joe Barton marred the day. The club would like to publicly thank Craig and Tony and all the players for behaving impeccably during a minute’s silence in memory of our chairman’s late-departed wife. As a mark of respect all the lads wore black armbands. A fitting and caring gesture, and I know how much this will mean to Stan. Full report from Craig to follow on the Youth tab. For the record, Jordan O’Gorman was superb as captain in the absence of Joe and Jack Blowers enjoyed being back with the Green boys; with the goals coming from Keiran Hawkins, Michael Smith, Dan Churchley and Reece Murrell.