Beckenham Town 4 Slade Green 0

Beckenham Town returned to the top of the Kent Premier table in some style on Saturday, writes Ian Muir.

Visitors Slade Green were simply not given a sniff of goal at Eden Park Avenue while after a patient start, chances at the other end were snapped up with relish.

There was very little to fault in this performance. It’s true Slade Green contributed to their downfall starting the game without an attacking strategy. Beckenham’s running was strong, the movement was good, the finishing was sharp and they ran out easy winners leaving their opponents chasing shadows.

Some frantic defending by Green resulted in some ugly challenges and the home side lost skipper Jake Daniels after 20 minutes, he was replaced by the versatile Cedric Meeko who had a fine game getting forward at every opportunity.

To their credit Beckenham refused to be intimidated and stuck to their game plan of passing and moving. At times the passing was breathtaking and with 30 minutes gone the visitors started to loosen up leaving gaps on the flanks that were exploited by both Ellis Green and ball wizard Ryan Martin.

Rose picked up the ball just inside his half and forged his way forward and tried his luck from distance with a fierce shot that just skimmed the bar.

Beckenham increased the pressure and the midfield trio of Rose, Stewart, and Green were all involved in forcing corners over the next ten minutes.

After the 5th successive corner Ahwan put Beckenham ahead into a well deserved lead with a powerful header after 41 minutes. Going into the break it looked certain that they would score a second.

Starting the second half kicking into the clubhouse end Beckenham were soon back on the attack and after only five minutes the game was made safe.

Ellis Green got past two defenders on the right flank and cut the ball back into the path of Vines who was on the edge of the area, he (Vines) allowed the ball to run through his legs into the path of Morris who picked his spot tucking the ball into the bottom corner to the delight of the home crowd.

Surely now the visitors would venture out and start taking the game to Town who were now into top gear-their pace at times leaving the visitors standing.

On a slippery wet pitch, Beckenham probed away with the combination of passes down the wing and balls into the central partnership of Morris and Vines. The pressure wasn’t intense but it was continuous.

Would Slade Green have the discipline to withstand it? The answer was no. With an hour gone an enviable passing move culminated with Vines slotting in his 29th goal of the season. Minutes later a Vines header fell into the arms of the keeper.

Beckenham, who were now in the comfort zone increased the pace from then on.

Stewart was party to Beckenham’s fourth, making his presence felt after Martin had run Slade Green’s defence dizzy on the left. Stewart found Vines in space near the by-line who kept his composure amid flying tackles to roll the ball back to the ever-persistent Ellis Green who made no mistake from four yards.

Beckenham coasted to an easy victory over their ultimately ineffectual opponents. On today’s performance it is easy to see why Beckenham Town’s attendance figures this season have increased.

Beckenham last game of the season is next Saturday when they visit Erith and Belvedere at Park View Road in Welling.

Beckenham Town: Rob Tolfrey, Junior kadi, Jake Daniels, Gavin Rose , Tony Sinclair, Errison Ahwan, Ellis Green, Ohran Stewart, Paul Vines, Daniel Morris, Ryan Martin.
Subs: Peter Adeniyi, Asher Hudson, Carlton Price, Jamie Cheeseman Cedrick Meeko