The Morning Line latest:
The Saturday first team game away to Oakwood is OFF
Saturday am pitch inspection…the Saturday Reserves home fixture is ON
For supporters travelling to the Kent Sunday Premier Cup tie away to Boxley on Sunday – a reminder that the kick off is 11am
* No previews received for the Reserve sides who are scheduled to play at home to Platt Heath United Reserves and Grasshoppers respectively this weekend. Supporters should phone Phil to check if games are on after the incessant rain on Friday. If we hear anything about the state of the pitches, it will be published on this website immediately. A win over Platt will move the side into the comfort of mid-table but a defeat would leave us fourth from bottom. As for Grasshoppers the following day, they are always a danger with the boys from Lydd traditionally unpredictable performers, especially away from home. Definitely not involved on either day are youth clubman Jamie ‘Munch’ Hurst and former double youth clubman Martyn Dalby who have both sadly left the club to find football elsewhere. They have been first class, loyal clubmen for the past three years and I wish them well – and hope they will be back before too long. DH.
* Editor’s note: our Kent Sunday Premier Cup opponents Boxley play in the Premier Division of the ‘Raja of Kent Maidstone & Mid Kent Sunday League’ and lost 4-2 last week at home to Holtwood. Although they sit modestly halfway up the table in 6th place, Boxley are only 3 points behind the pacesetters Star United.
First team previews by Dave Smith
Boxley-v-Bromley Green
On Sunday the Green first team travel to Maidstone based side Boxley in the second round of the Kent Sunday Premier Cup. With Steve Mailey away due to work, I will take over the side for this game. Little is known about our opponents, but as normal any game in the Kent Cup is always keenly fought and gives the players a break from playing against the usual Sunday sides. To carry the Ashford banner as far as we can in this cup is always a mark of a good side, certainly something I think we are more than capable off.
I for one, think our squad is good enough to have a good run in this cup and it is the one major honour that has eluded us over the years. With a good balance of players that play both days, plus several that are Sunday only, it shows the strength we have. Over the last few weeks, the side has picked up useful wins and sit second in the Premier Division, but I think there is still al lot more to come from this side, as at times we seem to just about do enough to get a win, whereas I think we should be capable of dominating games.
With no game last week the squad will show little change from previous weeks, but one addition will be Tom Head, who has just signed for the club and I think will go on and prove to be a real asset both on Saturdays and Sundays. Terry Perk will be the one notable absence as he has been unwell in hospital this week, but is now on the mend and could well make the trip to support the team.
Squad: C.Smith, T.Poyner, R.Smith, M.Hadlum, T.Head, R.Norman, P.Allen, P.Law, A. Mercer, G.Mackett, L.Milton, L.Hayles, J.Mifsud, R.Greenfield, D.Valler. Game is an 11.00 kick off and will be played at Mote Park.
Bromley Green-v-Oakwood
Simply a league fixture we must win this week, against an Oakwood side who are bottom of the league with no points from 6 games. On paper this looks good for us, but I have never been away to Oakwood and ever had an easy game, so we will need to make sure our attitude and preparation is spot on. We really need to put a long unbeaten run of league games together now to, to get ourselves into a challenging position, there are a couple of sides pulling away now and we need to keep in touch.
An open forum on Tuesday rather than training proved useful and has given me some items to address in my team, it is clear the level of commitment is there and the players desire to well is commendable. The squad this week has only a couple of changes, which I think is important to get good understanding between the players. Keeper Craig Smith returns from his short break, as does utility player Ben Davies, Dan Cornell is fit, so he returns to the squad, Dan Allen, Ryan Holloway will return to the reserves, but more good performances will again see them pushing for a place again. With Chris Howells, Dave Webster, Liam Smith and Reece Hagger, also performing well for our second string, my players at present will need to up their levels to keep their places, no one has a automatic place, which is the only way it can be.
Squad: C.Smith, M.Hadlum, T.Poyner, M.Doyle, R.Smith, M.Howells, G.Mackett, L.Milton, R.Greenfield, B.Davies, A.Mercer, D.Cornell, L.Hayles, J.Mifsud. Players to meet at 12.15 latest at the club. Ground address: Honey Lane, Otham, Maidstone, Kent,ME15 8RG.
The news about Jamie and Martyn looking for football elsewhere is extremely saddening, but I guess had been coming. Like the Patron I wish them both well and hope they’ll return to us soon. There are always casualties at this point in the season, but I can’t help feeling that as a club we’ve let down the two former youth team members who have stuck with us and contributed more off the field in there short time with The Green than most seniors do in an entire playing career. A real shame.
Agreed Terry. We preach loyalty and then treat youth clubmen like this. Jamie even ran the line today before the weather ruined things. I will save other observations for the less public forum of the next committee meeting.
i also wish you both the best of luck.