Slade
Green’s
miserable 2005 continued as they slipped to their third consecutive defeat
at The Reachfields Stadium on Saturday.
Green went into the game without defenders Mark Sabatino (knee) and Mark
Penny (thigh). However,
they were boosted by the return of Lee Barber having missed the previous
game through work commitments.
The visitors were thankful to the woodwork after 6 minutes as Terry King saw
his powerful drive crash against the post.
Although Green’s leading goalscorer Ryan Hayes sent a 30 yard drive
flying wide Green’s first half display was well below par as the home
side peppered the visitors goal.
Having embarked on a fine solo run, Ian Hayes strike lacked the necessary
power to trouble keeper Paul Vines returning from a six match lay off
following a calf strain.
Vines then produced superb reflexes to keep out Hayes glancing header and
then went full stretch to thwart former Sittingbourne man Roy Godden.
Not even the award of a penalty following a handball by Darren Upson could
beat the Green shot stopper as he dived to his left to keep out Godden’s
spot kick.
If Hythe had enjoyed the better of the first half the roles were
reversed after the break and just two
minutes in Dave Martin fired across the face of goal from Ryan Hayes
squared ball.
A cross from Hayes then set up an opportunity for Shaun Malyon but his
header was easily gathered by keeper Nick Day.
Malyon again threatened
soon afterwards, Danny Little producing neat play before playing in
Malyon whose shot on the turn drew a good stop from keeper Day.
The decisive goal arrived on the hour mark. Dean Kearley was adjudged
to have committed a foul and from the free kick that arose taken by Dean
Widnall, Mark Pollard pounced with a low header.
Just two
minutes later Green looked to be Back on level terms when Ryan Hayes
unleashed a spectacular 20 yard drive that rattled back off the crossbar
still the danger was not cleared but the follow up from Dave Martin flew a
shade wide of the target.
Green continued to press for the equaliser, Danny Little’s throughball was
headed on by Tony Gallagher into the path of Dave Martin whose header was
saved while Ryan Hayes drove the ball wide following Lee Barber’s slick
pass.
This proved to be Green’s final worthwhile chance on goal as they drew a
blank
for the first time in nine outings.
Late in the game Ian Hayes maybe should have struck for the home side,
firstly hitting high and wide when well placed before then being thwarted by
Dean Kearley’s perfectly time tackle.
Meanwhile,
Slade Green's
reserve team secured
their second semi final of the season as they brushed aside first
division side Ramsgate 4-0 at The Small Glen.
Chris Tuley continued his prolific form of late with yet another goal as
Green stormed into a 3-0 half time lead.
Green’s other scorers were Mark Baron, Lee Morgan and Tom Morgan.
The win comes a week after Green defeated Gravesend & Northfleet 3-0 in
the quarter finals of the Kent Intermediate Cup.
In the Intermediate Cup semi final Green face Tonbridge at The Small Glen,
while the semi draw for the League Cup takes place in a fortnight's time.
Slade Green
(vs Hythe):
Vines, Lewis, Barber, Gallagher, Kearley, Upson, Martin, Barrett,
Malyon, Little (Bowey), Hayes. Subs:
Morris, Miles, Heywood
