Bromley Green-v-Canterbury City (Preview by Dave Smith)
On Saturday we entertain Canterbury City in the 2nd round of the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield. Canterbury having won promotion to the premier league last season are currently sitting mid table. City will bring them three Ashford lads in Liam Whiting, Mark Rook and ex Green man Charlie Southen, so an added bit of spice is sure to be in the game. This no doubt will be our stiffest test of the season so far, but after a couple of very good away performances over the last 2 weeks, we will go into the game full of confidence and belief that we can come away with a victory. The team now is starting to take a regular shape and the players are getting used to each other and overall the football we have been playing is good to watch. The club has a lot of talent in depth, so the lads in the first team need to be putting in good performances each week as there are many in our reserves who are pushing for places and this can only be good for the future of the club. This is now an important time for the club, as the run in to Christmas always throws up a mixture of cup and league games and these matches as the pitches start to turn wet, always give the key to how the season will unfold.
Squad: C.Smith, T.Poyner, M.Hadlum, R.Smith, M.Doyle, A.Mercer, R.Greenfield, G.Mackett, L.Milton, L.Hayles, D.Allen, D.Cornell, B.Davies, M.Howells
Team to meet at 13.00 ko 14.00 All spectators welcome
Goals by Glenn Mackett and Dan Allen (left) secured a vital 2-1 victory away to Highfield in the Ashford Sunday Premier after Daryl Steatham had given the hosts the lead. Highfield, unbeaten in their previous 22 outings, showed just how far they have come in recent seasons but in the end after Macca had smashed home a first half equaliser, it was leading scorer Allen who sprung the offside trap to snatch a late winner and keep our title hopes alive. Market Hotel and Kennington shared the spoils from a 1-1 draw while Bliby duly defeated struggling Mersham 5-0.
The Green’s Sunday Reserves went down 4-2 at home to Ryarsh in the Kent Sunday Junior Cup -no details received yet but here are some action pictures from our roving photographer Paul Carter: Liam Smith (left) is pleading his innocence while coach Ian Mace and team manager Phil Wedge have plenty to think about (below left). 
It is a rare occurrence for the Sunday seconds to lose two on the bounce and the trip to Lydd to meet Grasshoppers in Division Two next week has suddenly taken on extra importance. And it will not be easy with Grasshoppers showing form in holding Appledore 1-1 in the league on Sunday. Looking forward to next weekend, there is a mouthwatering line-up, beginning with the visit of Canterbury City on Saturday whose squad includes former long-serving Green player Craig Southen. 
There will be a 2pm kick off for this Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield tie (preview later in the week). The following morning sees the visit of Mersham for a Premier Division game and once again it will be a case of which Green team turns up. The villagers contingent contains a fair sprinkling with Green connections, including former player and manager Trevor Strand; although it is understood that Matt Stanley is now devoting his time to the reserves. Mark Howells, Chris Howells, Ben Davies, Micky Doyle currently ply their trade with Mersham as does striker 
Chris Holmes who is sadly in the midst of long term absence due to injury. Confirming that following yesterday’s great win at Staplehurst [read the manager's report by clicking on Latest Match Reports], on the 5 December the Saturday firsts travel to meet Lanes End at Waller Park, Darenth with the kick off for this Les Leckie Cup clash set at 1.30pm. 
A terrific squad performance at the Jubilee Ground saw the Green avenge their early season 3-0 defeat with a 3-1 victory over Staplehurst in the Les Leckie Cup. After a goalless first half, scores by Robbie Greenfield (left), substitute Dan Cornell and Adrian ‘Rocky’ Hayles brought a three-goal lead but a missed penalty by Ryan Smith and sloppiness in defence allowed the home side to keep the margin respectable. It is great to see ‘Bert’ now clear of persistent injuries and his header on the hour was beautifully judged as he reacted quickly to guide the ball into the far corner after the home centre back could only half clear Ryan Smith’s free kick. When Cornell forced home the second, despite a valiant effort by Monarchs keeper Rob Underdown, fifteen minutes later, it was all over bar the shouting. The hard-working and irrespressible Rocky headed in number three from close range with ten minutes reamaining, and it was indeed all over. A well-deserved win with Tom Poyner, Ryan Smith, Micky Doyle and Matt Hadlum keeping a close rein on ace strikers Peter West and Dan Mitchell and Lee Milton in midfield running for the 90 minutes to prove he still has the appetite. Skipper Macca as ever was quality and Merc and Bert were useful outlets wide. Rocky and Dan Allen are a handful for any defence and manager Dave Smith was able to give run-outs to Cornell, Ben Davies and Chris Howells. It wouldn’t be the Green however if we didn’t do something stupid and sure enough we lost concentration for a split second, allowing the home side to reduce the deficit [most annoying for keeper Craig Smith] before Ryan blasted his spot kick over. But this was good stuff from every single player as Staplehurst had their colours lowered for the first time this season and a free pint awaits the lads from The Patron after training on Tuesday [remember training begins at 7pm from now on]. Apart from a soft booking for the excellent in-form Doyle, referee David Smart showed commonsense throughout and the tie generally was played in good spirit. Our opponents in round two will be unbeaten second division outfit Lanes End who are based in Darenth. Meanwhile, at the Swan Ground, the Saturday Reserves went down 3-2 to New Romney Reserves but there were lots of positives (click on Latest Match Reports). More details, news and reports from the managers as they arrive. For the visit of Ryarsh in the morning, key defender Ryan Holloway is ruled out after suffering a heavy knock against Romney but Phil 
Wedge still has a large and talented squad to choose from as attempts are made to erase last week’s dreadful display from the memory. The Sunday first team face another huge test away to Highfield with Matt Hadlum a non-starter due to work commitments. Steve Mailey (left), distinctly unhappy with performances against Ashford Victoria and Kennington, is in no mood to tolerate any more slip-ups and realistically this is a must-win affair for the Green if they are to engage in the chase for the title. The first team game is at the North School and both matches kick off at 10.30am.
The first teams had mixed fortunes in their respective leagues last weekend with a great 1-0 win at Hersden on Saturday and a dreadful display away to local rivals Kennington on Sunday morning that resulted in a resounding 4-0 defeat. On a positive note, two new signings that are pleasing the managers during the early part of the campaign are former Ashford Cavaliers utility player Paul Allan (above left) [who was Steve Mailey's man of the match on Sunday] and ex-Bliby man Micky Doyle (below left). 
There are a host of newcomers and we hope to feature them on this website over the coming months. We want you each to feel that you are a real part of the club, to train, to discuss the game in the clubhouse with others and show an interest in your teams development – not someone who plays and just goes home. That is not the Bromley Green way. After away games, Ian Holloway always has the bar open for your return. You don’t have to drink if you don’t want to … just talk … we don’t bite! There seems a reluctance for some to want to mix … let’s change that please and I ask all managers to impress that we are a club, not a collection of teams. I don’t say this to upset anybody – I am merely explicating what several members have expressed to me in recent weeks. An opportunity for all fresh faces to get to know us is the Curry Night on Thursday 29 October at the Curry Leaf in North Street and the Executive cordially invites you to attend. Full details on the noticeboard or from Maxine – please add your name if you would like to join us.![IMG_0560[1]](http://bromleygreen.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/img_05601.jpg?w=128&h=150 "IMG_0560[1]")
Broken ankle victim Tom Head (left) is on the way back to fitness and the cultured defender could return to the action in three weeks time. Meanwhile Kenny Hallett looks very doubtful for the weekend with a badly bruised ankle after being fouled on Sunday … although the ref told him to get up and stop feigning injury! Ryan Smith is sulking as he thinks Merc gets too much of the limelight, so in recognition of receiving just two bookings so far this season, here is a photo of Ryan with Matt Hadlum. 
Mark Bennett’s better half still has not given birth while fellow keeper Chris Cloke is near to a return after niggling injuries. This Saturday the firsts go to Staplehurst for a Les Leckie Cup tie while the seconds will be without Paul Wallace as they welcome old friends New Romney Reserves to the Swan Ground. On Sunday there is another stiff task for the senior side who are away to unbeaten Highfield while the Reserves have a fascinating home Kent Sunday Junior Cup match with Ryarsh.
Oh and Charlie Clark (pictured) promises me he will be a changed man when his ban is over and he is back playing again. Equally with Tommy Lockett who states he will not get booked this season … we will have a little bet on that one Tommy. On the social side, the Curry Night on Thursday 29 October is almost fully booked so please get your name on the list at the ground if you wish to join in. Don’t forget, Max has designated it a Club Tie Night. Ties from DH – cash up front please.
Eighteen-year-old Adam Mercer (pictured left) returned from injury to make his most telling contribution since joining Bromley Green by netting the only goal away to previously unbeaten Premier on Saturday at Hersden. According to Merc his 20th minute decider was a screamer! Whatever, the three points are most welcome (see Latest Match Reports). In the league, Canterbury City slumped to their fourth Premier Division defeat, going down 3-2 at Bly Spartans; while Staplehurst just edged a five-goal battle with Kennington. At the Swan Ground, a sporting affair between the Green’s second string and Woodlands in the Kent Cup Group A went to extra time with the sides locked at 2-2. Again, missed chances and basic errors proved costly at the end with the visitors nicking it 4-2. 
Kenny Hallett (pictured below left) had given the Green the lead with a beauty from outside the box and, although it was 1-1 at the interval, a Chris Gillam penalty restored the advantage. But our joy ended there and we paid dearly for three glaring misses early in the second half. In the league Kennington Reserves compounded a poor day for the Ulley Roaders with a 2-1 defeat at home to Platt United Reserves. Former Green men Warren Schulz [with a hat-trick] and Gary Mickelborough were on target as Ramsgate saw off Worthing 5-2 at Southwood in the Ryman League. Three Bridges FC host the Sussex-v-Kent rep game on Tuesday 27 October with a 7.45 kick off. More news as it arrives…
(10.30) and Pilgrims make their way to us for another friendly (13.00). Note here: any adult teams keen on Sunday afternoon friendlies please ring Phil Wedge. Centre back John BJ Lockett (pictured left) reckons he is still six weeks away from making a return following his broken jaw, Joe Mifsud is away and Kenny Lane has to be patient with his double metatarsal problem.
Ground (click on Latest Match Reports for summary)…Paul Barron back to his best and two more goals for Dan Allen as Saturday seconds win their cup tie 3-1 away to Borden Village Reserves (click above tab Match Reports for Ali Mehmet’s summing-up). Not a good day for our neighbours in the reserves division with Kennington losing 3-0 at APM Reserves and New Romney seconds defeated 5-2 away to Larkfield. Ashford leaked goals again, going down 4-0 at Merstham, Hythe went out of the FA Vase 1-0 at Herne Bay but a 72nd minute score by Gary Mickelborough (pictured) earned Ramsgate a 3-2 victory over Leyton in the FA Trophy. But the win of the day has to be Lydd’s 2-1 triumph at Hersden, thereby knocking Canterbury City out of the Weald of Kent Cup.
