Congratulations to Mark Bennett who this week became the father of a baby daughter [Sophie]
Sunday double for Green
In terrible weather conditions, both Green sides emerged with maximum points to keep their respective title hopes alive. At the Swan Ground, two superb goals, one in each half, by Adrian ‘Rocky’ Hayles and Joe Mifsud saw off Highfield 2-1. The advantage of playing with the driving rain and wind was questionable as the Green controlled much of the play but struggled to create clear-cut openings; but a Rocky special separated the sides at the break. Mifsud rose unchallenged to head home againt his former club for 2-0 but when Danny Taylor pulled one back the home side were hanging on and glad to hear the final whistle. The Green are now just one point behind the pacesetters but a whole cluster of sides remain in contention in the title race. Meanwhile Darryl Hagger, T J Tulachan and an own goal proved enough for the seconds who won 3-1 at Appledore. Managers reports to follow (see Latest Match Reports above). Appledore have declined the offer of a return league game next Sunday leaving both Green sides without a game. This is very frustrating at this time of the season but hopefully there will be a friendly arranged for those in need of match sharpness.
Elsewhere, in the Bodkin Cup there were smooth passages into the next round for Galacticos [who beat Ashford Dynamo 4-1] and Bliby [7-0 winners over Fox]. Bethersden were the days top Premier performers with an astonishing 9-2 trouncing of Kennington to maintain their 100% record while Mersham will be happy with a point from an entertaining 2-2 draw with leaders Market. At the bottom of the table, neighbours Brewmaster and Troggs shared the spoils from a 2-2 draw. Former Green man Paul Goericke has been scoring regularly for Egerton and he was at it again with two more in the 4-0 success over previously unbeaten Churchills in Division One. Ashford Victoria provided the smash and grab act of the day by edging out Ashford Cavaliers with two goals at the death after Dale Stringer’s charges looked home and dry at 2-1 in their Sheber Trophy clash. Holders Bromley Green Reserves have been drawn away to Market Reserves in the next round … a tie that will see a re-uniting of former Green players such as Damian Morse and Glen Rolfe. Don’t forget, for all the latest results and tables, click on the link to the right.
Saturday night briefly (more details as they arrive throughout the weekend)
* Lee Milton strike levels the scores during the first half but another missed penalty with the score at 1-1 proves costly as the Green go down 2-1 at home to Sheerness East (action picture left). Also in Division One, Kennington go down 3-0 away to AFC Sheppey and Staplehurst continued their freefall with a 7-2 hammering at New Romney.
* Green Reserves lose 5-0 away to Bearsted Reserves; Kennington Reserves and Otford Reserves are goalless
* In the Kent County League Premier, Canterbury City include much-travelled veteran keeper Paul Hyde but lose again, this time 2-1 at home to Phoenix Sports; while in Division Two Lydd gain a creditable 1-1 draw at Borden.
* Elsewhere, Mickelborough nets again, this time on the hour from the penalty spot as the Rams win 2-1 away to Fleet in the FA Trophy…we could do with Gazza tomorrow one feels! No luck for Buster, Bondy et al as Hythe find themselves 20 points behind the Kent League leaders Faversham after a 2-1 home setback against Norton Sports.
Don’t forget: Saturday after the Green game with Sheerness we will be showing the Manchester United-v-Blackburn Rovers game live
Left: Tom Poyner and Glenn Mackett in action against Canterbury City last Saturday. Both players will be keen to continue their good form for the visit of Sheerness in the league tomorrow.
Photo: courtesy of City’s website where more action photos are available. Link through County League news on the right of this page.
Team news as it arrives: Dave Smith expects to be at full strength for the visit of Sheerness East (2.45pm) while Phil Wedge has Chris Cloke (leaving do at work), Paul Barron (ankle injury) and Daryll Hagger (work) missing for the testing trip to face Bearsted Reserves.
Thanks to all who made the evening at The Curry Leaf on Thursday such a success. Maxine deserves praise for organising the event and the restaurant staff were exceptionally professional in their ability to serve all 38 of us with what we wanted in decent time. Well done to all concerned! One small note, there is still one member to pay. Maxine and the Patron know who it is so please let’s avoid any bad feeling and get the money to Max on Saturday and no more will be said. Thanks. For more pictures, please click on ‘Curry Night Photos’ above.
Vice President Chris Watson celebrates his 50th birthday today (Tuesday) and the club sends its greetings. ‘Watto’ came through the youth ranks, clocking up 602 senior matches and notching 264 goals in the process. Able to play almost anywhere, Chris began as a wide player with us when he was 15 but he enjoyed many years as an influential midfielder, going on to win a mass of trophies. Along with Paul Brenchley and George Magri, Chris rates amongst the most skilful of players to adorn the Green jersey – a pleasure to watch. Chris is pictured here in 2005 with goalkeeping legend John Kelly and Vice President Ian Holloway.
Good luck to Ryan Smith, Matt Hadlum and Craig Smith who are in the County League Rep squad that faces Sussex at Three Bridges on Tuesday evening. Amazingly manager Mark Edwards has phoned Craig to say that he has not included Green skipper Glenn Mackett in his final squad, prompting Saturday boss Dave Smith (left) to consider the club’s position on this: “Glenn has been outstanding this season and this makes no sense at all. Being the man he is though, he still wants the other boys to go and try and make a name for themselves. I am not happy with the treatment of Glenn and I don’t buy the line that they don’t have his phone number; but after consulting the club’s officers I will go and support the other three lads.” Patron Dave Homewood felt Macca would not be too deterred by this: “Glenn has seen it all before and his main love is Bromley Green. On a selfish note, I hope he will be at training on Tuesday and report fit and ready to lead us at the weekend in two crucial games against Sheerness and Highfield. I also really hope that Matt, Craig and Ryan enjoy their night and have decent run-outs.” On a general note he added ”We have a real spirit in the Club now and are getting there – not just on the field but off it as well. The balance of experience and youth is paving the way to future success and nothing or nobody is going to stop us. It’s hard work with so many of our former quality players elsewhere but this club has bounced back on numerous occasions from far worse than this during the last eighty years and it won’t be long now before Macca is lifting the trophies again. I can’t wait!”
Utility defender Adam Jeffrey, who featured in the Under 16s last season, is returning to the Green. Phil Wedge will hold talks with the player at training on Tuesday. Patron Dave Homewood said: “It will be great to see Adam back but he will need to be patient like our other youngsters. We are determined to reward those who have stayed with us by providing adult football and the sooner we can secure regular friendlies in preparation for a third team next season the better. I think Adam could surprise a few people if he has self belief and we look forward to seeing him again”.
Pictures courtesy of our photographer supreme Paul Carter
On the Sabbath thou shalt pray: Dan Allen as usual gave everything but it was a frustrating morning
Ben Davies who performed well in midfield for Mersham
Ryan Smith (below right) with two goals and no booking … well done! Pay your annual sub and the Patron might yet find some sponsor money!
Green Army linesman Trent (below left) before hearing Jackie had pranged the car (not in Jason style thankfully) …
sealed the win when tapping home after his penalty kick had been parried by Craig Mannering. Ben Davies and Micky Doyle were the pick of Mersham and Andy Davis (pictured left) kept plugging away while the Green will just accept the three points and move on. The only other Premier fixture featured Bliby and Brewmaster with the home team coasting in 5-0. The Green Reserves maintained top spot in the second division and returned to winning ways, 3-1 at Lydd against Grasshoppers, with scores by ![e1%20009[1]](http://bromleygreen.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/e1200091.jpg?w=57&h=150 "e1%20009[1]")
Lee Bloxham (2) (pictured right) and Darryl Hagger. Ashley Webster was nominated man of the match by the Hoppers. Other news: Churchills beat Kennington on penalties after extra time brought a 4-4 stalemate in the Bodkin Cup while in Division Two Brewmaster Reserves beat 
Wye 3-1 and Charing and Fox Sunday settled for a 3-3 draw. In the Sheber Cup the Greens second string have been drawn away to Market Reserves while in the divisional cup quarter final we are away to Shadoxhurst. Former Bliby and Mersham midfielder Dave Webster has joined the Green full time, Ryan Norman (left) is back on Sundays, Craig Norman has quit and Ali Mehmet has come out of retirement quickly to take up the helm at Ruckinge.
The Green’s Saturday first team continue to improve with Canterbury City the latest scalps as a deflected shot by Mark Howells (pictured) deep into the second half was enough to book a place in round 3 of the Kent Inter-Regional Challenge Shield. It was no more than the home side deserved as, after a fairly even first period, the Green grabbed the initiative on the hour and were unlucky not to net through Rocky Hayles and Dan Cornell, who rapped a post from the edge of the area. Former Green player Craig Southen should have put the visitors ahead at 0-0 but planted a weak point-blank header straight at Green keeper Craig Smith. The stopper earned his blank sheet though and substitute Howells popped up with the winner. Superb performances from skipper Glenn Mackett, Micky Doyle and 
Ashford Charity Trophy. Elsewhere, Ashford Town shared the spoils with Dulwich Hamlet (2-2), the visitors fourth draw on the trot; while Gary 
Mickelborough (right) was at it again, making it five goals in the last six games, netting in the 48th minute to kickstart Ramsgate’s 2-0 win over a poor Walton Casuals in the Ryman Division One. For tomorrow morning, Rocky Hayles (left, sponsored by Keith Cornell Waste Paper), Danny Valler and Jack Ovenden are injured/unavailable as the firsts entertain Mersham and the seconds go to Lydd to face Grasshoppers.
Wide man Ryan Fitzgerald is loving his time at the Green but feels some lads are not getting a fair crack at regular football. Featured on the Playing Staff link, 20 year old Fitzgerald has stated “I do not feel some players are given enough opportunity to establish themselves. I want to play at the highest level, in the first teams”. Patron Dave Homewood responded and understood the player’s frustrations: “Ryan is one of a cluster of young players that are a credit to the club with their attitude to training and willingness to dedicate themselves to our cause. His comments open up a burning issue and it is no secret that I would put all the boys in and sacrifice results to build for the future of the club. Youngsters don’t learn by watching reserve teams at this level and playing bit-part roles; in fact it destroys their confidence. But I can’t tell managers who they must select and give regular football to. The dilemma is there because we have enough lads to field a third team but it is not possible for Phil to continue organising friendlies as he already has his hands full running both reserve teams. It is difficult for managers to keep everybody happy but I just hope Ryan and the other lads all stick with it and their time will come”.