My thanks go to Dee Collins, wife of former Ashford Town winger Malcolm Collins, for information re our South Willesborough Invicta photos on the ‘Where are they now?’ tab [click on Players and hover down]. Also thanks to Laurie Prior, Paul Prior, Malcom Rolfe and Jeff Boyce for their valued input.

Many of our readers like to know what is going on outside of the Ashford area and there is always keen interest in the Kent League which had some big scores on Saturday. The major upset of the day was undoubtedly the 2-1 defeat of runaway leaders Herne Bay at VCD Athletic. Bay’s 33 league games unbeaten run had to come to an end some time and the Vickers have now taken 4 out of 6 points from the seasiders this season; on Saturday they came from behind to win by the odd goal in three. Michael Jenner put Bay in front after 15 minutes but Billy Shinners levelled six minutes before the interval. In the second period James Brown hit the Vickers winner in the 52^nd minute.
Tunbridge Wells moved up to fifth after their 6-1 defeat of Fisher at the Culverden Stadium. Wells raced into a 3-0 lead through goals from Andy McMath, Jack Harris and Ryan Rook but the Fish gained hope when Adam Wadmore pulled one back. In the second period, McMath and Rook each added a second before Brewmasters Gary Clarke rounded off the scoring.

Results Kent Hurlimann League Premier Division
BeckenhamTown 7 DealTown 0
Canterbury City 1 Erith & Belvedere 5
Corinthian 3 Holmesdale 1
Greenwich 1 Cray Valley 0
Tunbridge Wells 6 Fisher 1
VCD Athletic 2 Herne Bay 1
Woodstock Sports 3 Lordswood 2

More photos from Sunday’s two vital wins

29.1.2012 Mersham v Bromley Green. Will Coltnip gathers safely for the home team in today's Bodkin Cup clash.

29.1.2012 Mersham v Bromley Green. Ewan guards the home goal.

29.1.2012 Mersham v Bromley Green

29.1.2012 Mersham v Bromley Green

29.1.2012 Green Res v Ashford Dynamo. Kenny Lang and former Green player of the year Stuart Prior

Fixtures Monday 30 January 2012
Kent League Premier Division Cup Quarter Final 2nd Leg
Erith Town  v  Woodstock Sports (7.30pm)
Tuesday 31 January 2012
Kent Senior Cup Quarter Finals
Ebbsfleet United  v  Hythe Town
Tonbridge Angels  v  Dartford
Ryman Premier League
Leatherhead  v  Margate
Kent League Premier Division Cup Quarter Final 2nd Leg
VCD Athletic  v  Beckenham Town

Llama and two-goal Lockett who starred in the big Division One clash on Sunday

Scroll down for more results and photos from the weekend

29.1.2012 Mersham v Bromley Green

29.1.2012 Green man of the match Liam Holman in Bodkin Cup action action this morning at Mersham

An extra time headed goal by Ryan Smith earned the Green a 1-0 victory at Mersham this morning in the Bodkin Cup but the holders also missed two penalties during the added period that could have given a more comfortable margin.

29.1.2012 Andy Hone with Mani, Jon Douglas and Reece Hagger during today's superb match at Waterside

Meanwhile at Waterside Ashford Dynamo put in a terrific display but the Green Reserves took the points with a 3-2 win to remain firmly at the top of the Division One table. Daryl Hagger fired the home team in front and Tommy Lockett looked to have set up a safe win before the Blues stormed back to 2-2. Ashley Webster and Tom Poyner both went close but the Green, well marshalled by the impressive Jon Douglas, won it with a Lockett penalty after Emmanuel Awuni had been brought down in the box.

29.1.2012 Jason Thomas on the attack at Mersham this morning

29.1.2012 Super sub Ship at Mersham today

Bromley Green booked a semi final spot in the Bodkin Cup with a 1-0 away win against Mersham this morning. The decider came from Ryan Smith who headed in a corner at the start of extra time.

In the Premier Division, Market were stretched by Aldington before winning 4-3 with a late penalty. Alex Williams, Kevin Ruane and Ryan Norman scored for Aldington with Marcus Hodges (2), Adam Purse and Olly Prior netting for Market. Hamstreet lost 1-0 at home to Bethersden with Tom Ripley claiming the only goal of the game.

29.1.2012 Top referee Ben Conlon in action at Waterside this morning

The Green Reserves continue to set the pace at the top of Division One thanks to a narrow 3-2 success over Ashford Dynamo at Waterside. Daryl Hagger opened the scoring for the Green and Tommy Lockett made it 2-0 at half time. However, full credit goes to Dynamo who fought back to 2-2 through Joe Slater and Rob Thurley before Lockett slammed home a penalty winner. Keepers Martyn Dalby and veteran Blues stopper Andy Towell were both excellent. Full marks to referee Ben Conlon who contributed to an exciting encounter.

Fellow title chasers William Harvey won 4-2 at home against Troggs with scores from Gary Turner (2), Sean Gibbs and Luke Walder. Andy Underdown and Danny Jennings replied for the Smarden-based side. Shadoxhurst stay up with the leaders after winning 2-0 at home against Appledore via goals from regular marksman Carlum McCloud and Valmir Paralonga while Ashford Victoria picked up a much needed maximum with a 3-1 win away to Red Heathens. Dan Fox, Freddy Caton and Phil Pearcey notched for the Vics with Barry Chambers hitting a consolation for Heathens.

In Division Two, the top three teams that played all won. Marsh Athletic had a comfortable 5-0 victory away to Fox Sunday with goals by Ashley Nelson  (2), Andy Cherritt (2) and an og. Levins continue to go well with a 2-0 win at home against Park Farm, Lewis Rae and Dave Bourne on the scoresheet. Newchurch nicked a narrow 2-1 win away to Troggs Reserves on a difficult Cornes Meadow pitch. Greg Hitchman scored both Church goals before the interval but an Alan Burton header from a corner gave the Marshmen a nervous final twenty minutes. Wye recorded a 6-2 home win over Charing with goals from Steve Trott (2), Alex Farrell, Ben Morley, Matt Sherwood and jack Phillips. Veteran Gary Lowman popped up with both Charing goals.

Albion Eagles took another step towards the Third Division title with a 6-2 win away toPrince Albertwith their scorers being Darren Brown (3), Callum Mackenzie, Gary Martin and Jamie Raffil. Steve Rice netted both Albert goals.StourValleyand Hamstreet Reserves shared the spoils from a 3-3 draw. Dan Berry (2) and an og forStourand Richard Larkin, Craig Ross and Luke Harden responding for Street. Sandgate are proving hard to beat at home and they took the points from a 6-3 success over Givaudan through goals by Steve Hill (2), John Driscoll (2), Simon Stanniford and Adam Boxer. Former Green veteran midfielder Gary Long, Ricky Harden and Chris Fenton replied for the works side. Pilgrims lost 4-1 at home against Ashford Spartans with Ian Edwards (2), Matt Rolfe and Will Rouford on the mark for the visitors. Matt Jackson netted for the hosts.

Burton Grove will meet Grasshoppers in the final of the Division Two Cup after Grove’s 5-1 win against Highfield Reserves. James Ross with a brace and one each from Barry Pithers, Andy Neal and Ian Hall proved more than enough with Inocent Muzumbe on target for Highfield. Grasshoppers were pushed all the way before winning 4-2 after extra time against Ashford Cavaliers. Allen Stirling, Martin Button, former Lydd and New Romney veteran Andy Bennett, and Mark Wood-Brignal netting for the Hoppers.

If the day started badly with England’s pitiful attempt to bat against spin bowling, it ended for the Green in abject disappointment with all five teams losing today.

The Under 10 sides both put on a good show [player of the match photos are on the U10 tab] but for the seniors it really was the proverbial ‘bad day at the office’!  A hotly disputed late penalty saw the firsts beaten right at the end away to Stansfeld and, although we are still top, this is a hiccup we could do without. The seconds crashed 6-0 at home to Bearsted Reserves and will have to lift themselves for the two big cup ties coming up. As for the Thirds, a 2-0 defeat away to Woolpack means we are out of contention in the league cup and no chance of lifting the title which has triggered immediate changes in management and playing staff as we look towards the future.

Local results
Haart of Kent County League Premier
APM Contrast  1-1  Bredhurst Juniors
Greenways 1-1  Staplehurst & Monarchs United
Sheerness East 2-1 Farnborough Old Boys Guild
Snodland 0-2 Charlton Athletic (Community)
Stansfeld 3-2 Bromley Green
Tonbridge Invicta 0-5 Tudor Sports
Haart of Kent County League Reserves Div Cup quarter-finals
Bromley Green Reserves 0-6 Bearsted
Orpington Reserves 3-5 Kennington Reserves
Haart of Kent County League Reserves Division
CanterburyCityReserves 2-1 Sheerness East Reserves
Hollands & Blair Reserves 2-0 Staplehurst Reserves
Otford United Reserves 4-4 Bly Spartans Reserves
Swale United Reserves 2-3 Lydd Town Reserves
Ashford & District League Cup
AISC 8-1 Great Chart
New Romney Thirds 6-1 Ruckinge United
Riverside0-2 Bethersden
Smarden 3-6 Rolvenden
Tenterden Reserves P-P Riverside Reserves
Woolpack 2-0 Bromley Green Thirds

Goals by Baffour Addae and Alex Waugh earned Maidstone United a 2-0 victory over Whyteleaf in the Ryman Division One South while an incident packed affair between Chipstead and HytheTownended all square at 1-1. Gary Mickelborough had given Town an 8^th minute lead but things started to turn when Kieran Byrne was dismissed for two yellow cards. Cruelly, it was man of the match Pat Kingwell who put through his own goal in the 54^th minute to level matters up.
Ryman League Division One South results
Chipstead 1-1 Hythe Town
Faversham Town 0-2 Bognor Regis Town
Folkestone Invicta 0-4 Merstham
Maidstone United 2-0 Whyteleafe
Ramsgate 0-0 Eastbourne Town
Whitstable Town 0-0 Crawley Down
Worthing 4-1 Sittingbourne

Ashford United were worthy 3-0 winners at Rusthall in the Kent Invicta League with all their goals coming in the last half hour through Jimmy Dryden, Lee Coburn and Mitchell Mannell.
Kent Invicta League results
Bly Spartans 0-0 Phoenix Sports
Bridon Ropes 1-0 Hollands & Blair
Crockenhill 1-1 Erith & Dartford Town
Lewisham Borough 1-5 Woodstock Park
Lydd Town 3-2 Orpington
Rusthall 0-3 Ashford United
Sutton Athletic 2-0 Meridian

Rocky: can you get in touch with Stan Donald please mate

Twitter: we now have twitter thanks to one of our senior players

https://twitter.com/#!/BromleyGreenFC

Kieran Hawkins, who became a father in the week, is added to the Saturday thirds squad for the league cup game at Caldecott

Sadly, we hear news that Riverside Inn Reserves are unable to field a side for the scheduled Ashford & District League cup tie away to Tenterden Reserves tomorrow.

Happy birthday!

The club sends wishes for a Happy Birthday today (Friday) to Jamie Hurst who is pictured [left] last May supporting the Saturday firsts on the night we clinched the league at Otford. Jamie is in his sixth season having joined as a junior and, in addition to playing for the Saturday Thirds and Sunday Reserves, is qualifying as a referee. He holds the distinction, along with Martyn Dalby, of winning the prestigious Tommy Stafford Memorial Trophy for Youth Clubman of the Year on two occasions.

Under 10s: training as normal on Thursday, start promptly at 5pm

After much speculation, Andy Pugh has finally left Welling United and plumped to join Cambridge United of the Blue Square Bet Premier. The fee for the ex-Gills striker, who has bagged 19 goals for the Wings this term, is believed to be £15000.

The TDL Preview Page

www.tdlonline.co.uk

Stansfeld v Bromley Green
Saturday 28 January 2012
By Dave Smith
On Saturday we travel to South London again for a mouth watering clash against Stansfield. Our hosts have put themselves in the shake up for the title with a string of impressive results that includes beating Eltham Palace last week. Add there unbeaten home record and the task in front of us is huge but one every single player in the squad must be relishing.These are the type of games as players and manager that although being tough you have to enjoy, to be going into London to take on  a top side is a challenge but it is the type of challenge that all good players should look forward to, this is what the premier league should be all about, playing quality opposition and seeing where we are at as a team and learning form the experience.
Our first game of the season was against Stansfield a game that saw us record an excellent 3-0 victory with our visitors on that day being reduced to 8 men due to indiscipline.
This game is the first of 4 away games out of the next 5 matches they takes us to the end of February. This is my opinion is going to be the crunch time of the season if we can get through these next 5 games and still be top or very close then it will see us with only 5 games left with 4 of them at home and I feel this would leave us an outstanding chance of taking the title.
The squad this week is not as strong as it defiantly could be, with Rocky Hayles and Gary Lockyer suspended, Paul Burt is another big loss after his thigh problem gave way in last weeks warm up and Marc Collins is still recovering from his knee surgery. Adam Purse will rejoin the squad after a long absence through work and holiday and he will give good cover in several areas, so players missing  but as I always state we have a large squad for a reason and we will still travel with not only a quality squad but a squad that is capable of getting a result.
Squad : C.Smith, M.Hadlum, T.Head, P.Allan, M.Doyle, M.Collins, B.Beaney, D.Barham, G.Mackett, S.Harris, D.Cornell, R.Smith, S.Ahmetaj, A.Purse.
Players are to be the ground ready to leave on the mini bus at 12.00, please ensure that the club dress code is adhered to.

Bromley Green Reserves v Bearsted Reserves
Saturday 28 January 2012
By Andy Williams
This Saturday sees the first of three (hopefully more) important cup ties for the Reserves. We welcome Bearsted for the Reserve Division Cup quarter final and it goes without saying that we need to improve greatly on our recent performances .We faced our opponents recently and drew 2-2, with Bearsted equalising with the last kick of the game. We know all about them and they knocked out favourites Hollands & Blair in the previous round. We need to readopt the mentality that saw us through our last round tie when we came from 2 goals down to beat Canterbury City. Missing this week are Robbie Greenfield (suspended) Kenny Hallett (injured) and both Lee Milton and Kevin Quinn (work commitments) but returning to the squad are Ewan Stanley, Matt Gilbert, Michael Hodges and Adam Purse.
Kick Off 1.30 pm, meet at Waterside 12.15pm.
Squad: C.Mannering, T.Lockett,L.Smith, M.Gilbert, M.Hodges, A.Mercer, J.Thomas, P.Barron, E.Stanley, T.Poyner,R.Fitzgerald, A.Purse, A.Webster, R.Strand

Woolpack v Bromley Green Thirds
Saturday 28 January 2012
By Dave Homewoood
Having lost at home to Woolpack a few weeks back, we will need to continue last Saturday’s form if we are to pick up any League Cup points at Caldecott.
In recent weeks, for whatever reasons, the following have packed it in: Joe West, Lee Gilham, Jack Blowers, Tom Lynn and during the week Freddie Murrell. At least Joe and Freddie had the good manners to let me know; the others quite frankly are disrespectful and ignorant and sum up the selfish standards that pervade much of society today. Apparently the club, or myself, are not worth a text or a phone call. As I said, ignorant. We have also lost clubman Adam Jeffery through work commitments.
But we have new dad Kieran Hawkins available again and we will remain positive for the remaining fixtures and focus on those that do want to play and give their best for the squad. And I must say in recent weeks [eg Smarden and against Riverside] everyone has put in a great amount of effort. For this week’s tie, we are without Liam Holman who has to work but should still put out a reasonable line-up. Despite having over 30 registered players, I have looked at players in readiness for next season and could yet throw in a few more youngsters for experience as the seasons reaches its last lap.
Provisionally then the squad to meet 12.30pm at Waterside is:
Wilson Guest; Michael Dryland, Matt Coniam, Martyn Dalby, Jamie Hurst, Danny Illsley, Matt Illsley, Aaron Neil, Emmanuel Awuni, Terry Perk, Thomas Moon, Matt Jarvis, Andrew Possee, Marcus Dalby, Kieran Hawkins.
Anyone wishing to go straight to the ground must let me know in advance please. Directions: turn right at Evegate crossroads on A20, first turning right after main Caldecott building takes you into car park.

Mersham v Bromley Green
Sunday 29 January 2012
By Richie Moore
Sunday will see us playing the next round of the Bodkin Cup (Quarter Final) the week after beating Aldington in the previous round.  This will be a tough game and will rely heavily on tactics I feel after a tight affair in the league game played earlier this season.  But these are the games we look forward to as we continue to chase honours on all fronts.
Another strong squad again this week to choose from, and like last week we will look at fitness and injuries in determining our selection. Paul Burt is sidelined with injury, but we welcome back Mike Hodges after work commitments.  Following the game on Saturday, it is requested that players suffering any ill effects or knocks kindly let Matt or I know before we decide our starting XI.
Mersham have had some decent results of late, so we need to keep our game tempo up and play how we did on Sunday, retaining possession a little better but playing football the way we did will push us on to a good result.
The squad is as follows and players are to report at Waterside NO LATER THAN 0915.
Craig Mannering, Liam Smith, Ryan Smith, Micky Doyle, Tom Head, Mike Hodges, Dan Barham, Liam Holman, Glenn Mackett, Matt Collins, Ryan Fitzgerald, Gary Lockyer, Lee Milton, Steve Harris

Clubhouse opens 6.30pm with Happy Hour from 8pm to 9pm

Happy birthday to Andy Williams [left]

Well done to all the Under 10s and seniors who braved the miserable weather and trained last night. Special mention for all our coaches who did a fine job, both at the ground and the 3G.

In the Kent League Cup quarter final second leg, Herne Bay won 4-0 away to Erith & Belvedere to rack up a 7-1 aggregate score. Only 62 turned up at Park View Road as the seasiders coasted in with goals by Tom Parker (2 pens), Dave Soutan and Rhys Lawson.

21.1.2012 Ian Mace prepares the lads on Saturday at Smeeth ... training tonight is with The Beast and Aaron

Bay drawn at home in Carlsberg FA Vase 5th round
Herne Bay have been drawn at home to Larkhill Athletic in the last 16 of the Carlsberg FA Vase. The Somerset side play in the Premier Division of the Toolstation Western League where they occupy third place having won 12 and drawn 2 of their 18 games to date. The 5th round is scheduled to take place on Saturday 11 February. Meanwhile, the Bay take a 3-1 lead into tonight’s Kent League Cup quarter final away to Erith & Belvedere (7.45pm).
Monday’s cup tie
Corinthian secured the first Premier Division Cup semi-final place after a goalless draw at Fisher ensured their 2-0 first leg win was enough. Crowd at the Champion Hill Stadium: 110.
Fixtures Tuesday 24 January 2012
Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com Quarter-Finals
Dover Athletic  v  Welling United (7.45pm)
Margate  v  Charlton Athletic (7.45pm)
Blue Square Bet Premier
Ebbsfleet United  v  Tamworth (7.45pm)
Blue Square Bet South
Staines Town  v  Dartford (7.45pm)
Macron Kent League Premier Division Cup Quarter-Final 2nd leg
Erith & Belvedere  v  Herne Bay (7.45pm)

21.1.2012 Danny Barham is well marshalled by the Sheerness defence

For all the match reports, please click on Match Reports 2011-2012. Previews of next weekend’s games will follow on Thursday.

Pamper Night!

Liza is organising a Ladies Pamper Night and here are all the details [please click on the links]

February_10th_Valentines_flyer

The_Bromley_Green_pamper_night_price_list

How_to_buy_valentines_vouchers

Keen parent Kirsty running uphill at Smeeth on Saturday ... more photos on the Under 10 tab including the two Player of the Match awards