20thjan05

Slade Green have no defence

SEEING their three game winning streak come to an end last Saturday, Phil Miles, the joint-manager of Go Travel Kent League side Slade Green, blasted "shambolic" defending as the reason for their 5-4 defeat in a nine-goal thriller at Tunbridge Wells, writes Stephen McCartney.

Miles admitted he was disappointed as his nine point haul from three games came to an end at Culverden Stadium but they have been working hard on the training ground to rectify their defensive frailties ahead of Saturday's trip to Hythe Town.

Miles said: "Obviously very disappointing to score four goals away from home - you would expect to pick up three points.

"Unfortunately what went on in the first 45 minutes was basically shambolic defending.

"I wouldn't say either side were clever with defending, although I think we created our own problems defensively but we cut them apart going forward, in fairness.

"For all the training and the tactics in the world you can't legislate for poor defending."

The club's reserve side, however, are on course to complete a cup double.  Last Saturday they reached the semi-finals of the Kent Intermediate Cup after beating Gravesend & Northfleet 3-0 at the Small Glen.

Ramsgate are the visitors to the Small Glen on Saturday as the Green's second string aim to make it to a second semi-final in the Reserve Division League Cup.

Miles is proud of the acheivements of the reserve side.

He added: "Beating Gravesend & Northfleet was a great result for the football club and for them.  They play Ramsgate on Saturday, hopefully they can make it a bit of a double, which will be quite nice."

Back to first team action, Miles admitted his side are embarking on a big week.  After their trip to Reachfields on Saturday they host Sevenoaks Town (next Tuesday) and Sporting Bengal United (Saturday 29th January).

Speaking about their game at Hythe Town - who lost 2-1 at Deal Town last weekend, Miles said: 
"It's going to be a tough game,

"We've worked hard in training this week to try to rectify our defensive errors.

"We're quietly confident again, but we don't underestimate anyone.  The Kent League is a tough league and that's shown by the results.

"We picked up a few knocks last weekend.  We'll probably change our side a bit due to little niggles but it's nice to be able to bring quality players into the side.

"This week is quite a big week for us.

"Obviously we've set ourselves a target - we picked up 9 points from 3 games before Christmas."

Miles, however, is looking for more consistency if the Small Glen outfit - who are currently erecting a fence around their ground - are to climb the table.

"We are on a very fine line," he added.

"We look to take a couple of steps forward and then take one massive step back.

"We feel ourselves that we can go as high as we want - if we can get some consistency in our play, getting wins, getting into midtable and pushing on from there."

Hythe Town v Slade Green
Go Travel Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 22 January 2005
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Reachfields, Fort Road, Hythe