We're a match for anybody, insists Baldacchino - EXCLUSIVE

Goals from Paul Springett and John Paul McKey saw Slade Green run out 2-1 winners at Bromley Sports in their latest pre-season friendly on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney and Robert Smith.

The Kent League side secured their first win of their pre-season programme, pleasing assistant manager, Wayne Baldacchino.

“The game was played at a blistering pace in the first half and it was clear that neither team were going to be able to maintain the pace in the second half,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

"It was a good run-out and we have another full-scale practise match at The Small Glen on Thursday night against a local side.”

Mark Dudley, formerly of Cray Wanderers, brings his Running Horses side to The Small Glen on Thursday night, a team that contains several ex-Kent League players.

“That will give us a chance to look at a few more lads and improve fitness levels for some of the others,” said Baldacchino.

“We took a couple of knocks (on Tuesday night) and a few of the lads had tight hamstrings after the game, but we have a pretty clean bill of health and should have most of the squad available for the (home) match against Chatham Town (reserves) on Saturday.

“The squad is taking shape nicely now and we are looking to sign three or four more quality lads to bring us up to maximum numbers.

“We expect a long hard season with the amount of games to be played, so we are going to need strength in depth to ensure we give a good account of ourselves.

“Myself and Peter will continue to work hard on and off the pitch to ensure that Slade Green are a match for any team in this division, and hopefully we will achieve our targets this season and beyond.”

Meanwhile, manager Peter Little has pulled off a major coup by bringing experienced Kent League defender, Paul Garrett, back to the club.

Previously with Corinthian, Greenwich Borough, Crockenhill and Sussex County League side, Redhill, Garrett was a member of Green’s impressive side of the mid-1990’s that reached consecutive Kent League Cup semi-finals and the last 64 of the FA Vase, as well as obtaining a top-six finish in 1996.

Little told the club website: “Paul hasn’t played Kent League football for three years, but there is little doubt about his class, that is something you never lose.

“He has attended most of our pre-season training sessions and I am delighted to have him on board.

“His wealth of experience will prove invaluable to the younger players in the squad.”

With 208 appearances behind him, stalwart, Lee Barber has been appointed team skipper for this season.

Striker Adam Morrish has taken up the position of vice-captain and they are two of six players to have been retained from last season’s squad, along with John Paul McKey, Shaun Malyon, Terry Murphy and Jordon Assender.

Visit Slade Green’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc/