5thoct05

Wednesday 05th October 2005

Weir must pull the trigger
EXCLUSIVE

Slade Green striker Anthony Weir must find his goalscoring touch to become a better player, insists his manager Phil Miles, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 21-year-old striker, with two goals already this season, could have added to his tally during their Kent Senior Trophy tie against Tunbridge Wells at The Small Glen last night.

But he did win his side a 22nd minute penalty - But Glen McTaggart, whose 81st minute strike cancelled out Dave Batt's opener a minute earlier - saw his spot kick beaten out by former Ashford Town stopper John Whitehouse.

Slade Green, however, went onto miss two penalties in the shoot-out, with Danny Little crashing his against the crossbar and Scott Lewis firing over, as they crashed out 4-2 on penalties.

Lee Morgan and former Cray Wanderers' midfielder Robert Browning, however, converted there's, but Slade Green did have ample chances during the 120 minutes of football to win the game.

Disappointed that his side squandered an opportunity to host a lucrative second round tie against Maidstone United next month, Miles said in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk: "Anthony's done well, he's been with me since he's sixteen, growing more and more in strength. The only thing he lacks is finishing.

"As you've seen tonight, he's done everything, put them under pressure, got a penalty, he's done everything bar score.

"But he's one of those players who'll work as hard as you want to and I felt he was outstanding, and to be fair, he's been our best player all season.

"But he just lacks that one thing - which is scoring goals."

Slade Green's fixture at Herne Bay, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been moved back to next Tuesday, 11th October due to England's crucial World Cup qualifier against Austria.

"It's not ideal really. I'm not sure how we've ended up with (a trip to) Herne Bay midweek," he raged.

"We offered to go down there at 12 o'clock on Saturday, but they couldn't do that. They wanted us to go down there Friday night, but we felt that was a little bit unfair so somehow we've ended up going there on a Tuesday night."

Miles, however, warned not to expect an easy ride when Sussex County League second division side outfit Mile Oak visit The Small Glen in a FA Vase first round tie at the end of the month.

"On paper we are favourites, admitted Miles. "We played them eleven years ago because I actually played in the game, but that will be a tough game.

"If you look at their results this season they've knocked out higher league opposition in BAT Sports, Eastbourne Association and have drawn 1-1 against Camberley Town in the FA Cup."

Herne Bay v Slade Green
Kentish Observer League Premier Division
Tuesday 11th October 2005
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Winch's Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay