26thoct05

Slade Green impress against Wells

Slade Green produced arguably, their best showing of the season at home to Tunbridge Wells last Saturday when they made reparations for a Kent Senior Trophy set back against the same opposition, following a penalty shoot-out at The Small Glen earlier in the month, writes Martin Wiseman.

A fifth minute penalty from Lee Morgan, and a smartly executed goal  on 37 minutes when the ubiquitous Ryan Robinson headed a well measured ball into the path of Tony Weir, had Green going in at half time well deserving of their two goal lead. 

Tunbridge Wells were in between managers for this encounter following the recent resignation of Kevin Metcalf, came out in the second half with a much more attacking 4-3-3 formation, and put Green under a good measure of pressure. 

Despite losing the services of two of their key players, Lee Morgan (toe) and Ryan Robinson (dead leg) during the early part of the second half, Green soaked up all that Wells had to throw at them, and, splendidly marshalled by centre back, Mark Penny, Green’s defence saw to it that Gary Arterton, in the home goal had little to in the save making department. 

Although wearing number three on his back, Robinson, as a left sided part of the five man Slade Green midfield was heavily into danger zone action in what was a good first half for Green. 

In the space of just four minutes he sent headers narrowly wide after good wing service first from Robert Browning and then Shaun Malyon, and also unsuccessfully sought a second Green penalty as he went to ground in the box claiming a trip. 

Then again on 37 minutes, it was the Robinson head that again featured, as he nudged keeper Arterton’s free kick into Weir, who calmly dinked a cheeky chip over the stranded keeper. 

The early Green penalty arose from a burst into the box by Browning, who adjudged to have been unfairly bought down by keeper Simpson as they contested a 50/50 ball.

Slade Green:  Arterton, Lewis, Robinson (Hanlon), Morgan (Sabatino), Penny, Barber, Malyon, Bradley, McTaggart (Elliot), Weir, Browning