Sunday First Team Report 26 April 2009: S Mailey
Bromley Green 1 v 0 Ashford Cavaliers
The usual problems greeted me as names were being crossed off one by one as kick off neared. My former club arrived at the Swan Ground with a strong squad, so a close opening twenty minutes did not surprise me. In fairness, Cavaliers had the better of those exchanges, appearing to want it more than us. We began to settle rather than rushing everything and started playing on the floor! That may sound simple, yet it took a while to achieve considering it was exactly what I’d asked for.
As the half went on we began playing the football, yet Cavaliers spirit was constant and they may well have gone in at half time leading had their early pressure brought reward.
A change was made at half time to add strength up front and it made a difference. Whilst we were starting to create space and chances, the visitors could easily have gone into a 2-0 lead as we failed to deal with their threat.
The midfield was starting to be dictated by Mackett as Cavaliers tired, and Greenfield found more and more 
space. The hard working Barrett came close several times during the half yet it was Greenfield who used the space he had found to fire home to give us the lead (pictured right: captured brilliantly by our roving photographer Paul Carter). Robbie had threatened with similar chances throughout the game and got his reward for persistence – something he is making a habit of!
In fairness, the goal seemed to flatten the visitors, and we should really have gone on to score several more as we became wasteful as well as finding the goal frame too often when it was much easier to find the net? Perk was in control at the back when we needed him and young Aaron continued his steady progress at this level.
Man of the Match will go to Robbie Greenfield – a player loving his role at present. A thank you to Matt Wedge who, realising we were short, offered his services and added strength in the second half.
In football terms, I think this was a poor advert for the league. However, credit to both clubs, as the game was played in the right spirit in warm conditions on a hard surface. Our next two games are both evening fixtures as we have no game next week. It would be nice to think a few more will be available!
C Smith / Valler / Poyner / Perk / Mackett / L Milton / Greenfield / Neil / Curtis (Wedge) / Hawkins / Barrett
Not Used: Mark Day / Martyn Dalby
3-3 Thriller at Ladywell…reflection from both sides
Two close-fought games with Lewisham has seen great respect develop between the sides and we have reports from both camps on Wednesday night’s entertaining six-goal thriller
We came away from Lewisham with mixed emotions, a draw was a good point but we so easily could have had all three.
We started the game very well, playing good controlled football, with our back 4 in control of their lively forwards. We took the lead in the 5th min when Craig Norman finished well from a corner, this was an excellent start to the game for Craig who had his best game for the Green all season. We continued to dominate and could have added further goals, we were then awarded a penalty, unfortunately Glenn Mackett’s spot kick was saved and we went into the interval 1-0.
We expected Lewisham to up their game and they did and within 10 mins we found ourselves 2-1 down, as we conceded 2 sloppy goals form corners. I feared we may collapse, but the lads dug in and from a Chris Howells free kick in the 70th min Liam Smith brought us level with a great finish. Both sides now attacked for the win and from a flowing move involving Marshall, Slade, Ryan and Craig Norman saw Mackett finish well to put us back ahead with 7 mins left. We hoped to see this out, but again Lewisham levelled, with 2 mins to go to see the scores finish level.
A good performance from all 14 players used. A point has moved us up a place. Another tough trip Saturday when we go to Stansfeld, the first of 4 games in 9 days and more performances like this should see us to safety. Well done to you all and thanks to Doris, Steve, Max and Sara for making the journey and their support.
Team C.Smith, B.Davis, M.Hadlum, L.Smith, L.Marshall, R.Norman, A.Wood. H.Slade, C.Howells, G.Mackett, C.Norman. Subs J.Gardener (M.Hadlum)
M.Howells (C.Howells) L.Milton (A.Wood)
MoM Liam Smith played good football from the back and scored a vital goal, really, really becoming a player. Craig Norman Led the line superbly all night and gave 110%
And the report from our friends at Lewisham
In the last home match of the season the crowd were treated to another goal feast at Ladywell Arena. Feisty Bromley Green and Lewisham drew 3-3 in another end to end thriller. Bromley Green who had last week beaten a depleted Lewisham team clearly were in confident mood and started the better of the two teams and went ahead after 15 minutes from a poorly defended corner which resulted in a tap in. Lewisham gradually got into the match, but resolute defending by Green kept them ahead until half time. After a few well chosen words by the management and with the introduction of Chris Diamond up front and Lee Worboys moving to the centre of midfield, Lewisham started to move the ball quicky and show the hearty and spirit missing from the first half with Joe Murphy in particular putting in huge tackles all over the pitch. Alex Okisor then burst through the Green defence to level the scores. Lewisham now on top went close twice more and it was no surprise when they went ahead when Lee Worboys from a scramble in the box rolled the ball into the corner of the net. However Green who are fighting to stay in the Premier division showed the sort of spirit which will surely keep them in the division and again equalised from another poorly defended free kick. Tails now up Green now took the game to Lewisham and with 10 minutes left took the lead after a swift and flowing move from defence which resulted in the striker calmly stroking the ball past Teeley in goal. Desperation now kicked in with Lewisham now going to three at the back after an injury to Worboys (suspected broken wrist), Lewisham flooded forward and were rewarded by their MAIN MAN ? top scorer Alex Okisor who slotted in from close range. Both teams in the last five went in search of a winner which meant some spicy tackles going in from both sides. A thoroughly entertaining match for the neutrals ending at 3-3.
Kev away on duty for most of the season but to have him injured when he is home just about sums up our luck at the moment. Despite some brilliant performances from skipper Mackett and midfield colleagues Greenfield and Milton, plus the form of veterans Perk and Valler (pictured right) it is no wonder Steve can’t wait for the season to finish to provide an opportunity to get everybody fit and have a rethink ready for an assault on the title next season. Some good news is that Reece Hagger is off crutches now but of course he will miss Sunday’s Sheber cup final. More midweek news as it arrives…
Cavaliers at the Swan Ground. With so many chances squandered at either end, it is amazing that only one goal was scored. For Green manager Steve Mailey [pictured right looking for players!] it was a chance to complete the double over his former club. A splendid win for the Reserves, sponsored by ’5S Drainage’, at Appledore with Lee Bloxham and Ashley Webster netting in the 2-1 success. At Hythe, Mersham were unable to penetrate a solid Lydd defence and, after their Division One final had been goalless for much of the tie, it was the Lydders who snatched the glory.
at the Swan Ground. Great relief also for Andy Wood who netted twice in the second half after his frustrating spell. The return fixture is on Wednesday night with the kick off now moved to 8pm. For travelling arrangements please consult the team manager Dave Smith. Elsewhere, Fleet could have almost wrapped up the title but a 4-1 defeat at Hollands & Blair means the race is far from over. Sheerness did us no favours by losing 4-2 at home to Milton & Fulston but the bottom cluster all have to play each other in the run-in. In Division One, bottom side Lydd went down 3-0 at Oakwood but a Steve Rice hat trick gave Kennington a share of the spoils from a 3-3 home draw with leaders Canterbury City. Down the Avenue, Otford United Reserves emerged as favourites for the Eastern Reserves Division title with an impressive 2-0 victory against New Romney’s second string who remain top but have played more games than Otford.