thamesmead300805

Thursday 01st September 2005

Friends reunited

Tuesday 30th August 2005	Kentish Observer League	Martin Wiseman reports from Bayliss Avenue
Thamesmead Town	1	Kearley 11
Slade Green	1	Arnold (og) 90

The interchange of players that takes place between Thamesmead and Slade Green always adds that extra bit of spice to any clash between these two local rivals, writes Martin Wiseman.

That was never more the case than Tuesday night’s Kentish Observer League encounter at Bayliss Avenue when Mead's opening goal after 15 minutes was made and scored by two ex-Slade Green men.

However, roles were reversed with three minutes remaining when two former Thamesmead players, both of whom been introduced thirteen minutes earlier from the subs bench, combined to scramble the ball over the line and earn their current side a point. The result leaves both sides still searching for their first League win of the season.

There was also a degree of similarity between the two goals, both involving centre-backs moving up for set pieces and out-jumping their opponents keeper.

Thamesmead’s 15^th minute corner from ‘deadly’ Peter Deadman saw the perfect ball planted at the far post where Dean Kearley rose majestically to head down a firm contact that left keeper Gary Arterton helpless.

It was another delivery from the right hand side, a free-kick from Micky Bradley that gave Green’s Mark Penny the chance to emulate his ex-team mate Kearley. Not for the first time keeper Chris Arnold had trouble collecting a high ball and Penny’s effective jump saw the ball strike the side of his head before ricocheting agonisingly – for Mead - over the goal line.

Before the first goal arrived ‘Meads Danny Twin planted a header against Green crossbar. A good break by Gallagher nearly set Glen McTaggart in, while a 20 yarder from Deadman saw Arterton tip over for the corner which led to the opening goal.

Home keeper Arnold’s susceptibility to high balls into the box saw chances arrive for Malyon and Gallagher to score. The latter’s effort hit the post. But Arnold did better when saving from Hayretting, who should have netted on 19 minutes when he had a one-on-one with the keeper.

The latter stages of the game saw Thamesmead’s Jason Clews and Lee Loveridge force Arterton into saves, while skipper Pedro Knight hit a post, as well as thumping two shot’s narrowly wide.

Green were more off target with their goal attempts until Penny’s timely 87^th minute header brought Green a point they just about deserved.

Thamesmead Town: Arnold, Merridan, Deadman, Kearley, Loveridge, Twin, Thomas, Knight, Clews, Burns, Saunders. Subs: Williams, Hodge, Arnold

Slade Green: Arterton, Lewis, Barber, Gallagher, Morgan, Hanlon, Hayrettin, Little, McTaggart, Malyon, Browning. Subs: Penny, Bradley, Sabatino, Goss