Opening day win over Deres was not a fluke, insists Longhurst

SLADE GREEN boss Matt Longhurst insists their 3-0 opening day win at much-fancied side Erith & Belvedere was not a shock result, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Dartford coach spent the entire summer bringing new players to The Small Glen and raised a few eyebrows with victory at Park View Road on the opening day of the new Bulmers Cider Kent League season.

“Saturdays game seemed to come and go really quickly,” Longhurst told www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc.

"I thought we played really well against a team tipped to be title contenders and I m sure come May they’ll be up there still.

“But this week we totally outplayed them and the score line could have been better had we taken our other good chances.

“I thought we had a great shape with and without the ball and looked organised the desire and commitment levels were excellent as they should be.

“The pitch really suited us and we passed the ball well so overall a great first day in the league.”

Slade Green, Tunbridge Wells and Holmesdale have all produced shock results during the first week of the new season.

Longhurst now turns his attention to Saturday’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie against a Tunbridge Wells side that stunned title favourites VCD Athletic at Culverden Stadium last weekend.

Mike Robbins’ side clinched victory against an off-colour Vickers side, courtesy of a 35-yard effort from prolific striker Ross Cable.

And Longhurst said : “I reminded the players after the game it was only one game and will soon be forgotten if we didn’t continue the good form but we’d let them enjoy their Saturday night until Tuesday where we will look to build towards the next game against Tunbridge Wells in training.”

Green welcome back captain Sam Groombridge for the home FA Cup clash after missing their opening through holiday and Longhurst should also have two or three other players available after injury.

He said: “There are still two prominent players away on holiday so when the whole squad is back I feel we will be strong enough to compete on a weekly basis in this league.

“We will not let the players run before they can walk and myself and Terry (Ratchford) have been involved in football long enough to know one result doesn’t mean anything at this moment in time.

“But it is good for confidence and we will look forward to the game against Tunbridge Wells as I m sure they will after their excellent result against VCD.

“One thing I will say people have said both ours and Tunbridge Wells had shock results the weekend. I’m not so sure that these media people have watched either team pre season so how they would know being it a new season with new teams that they were shock results I don’t know?”

We’ll Mr Longhurst, these results are called shocks as us “media types” go by last season’s finishing positions when reflecting on opening day results.

He added: “I said last week people will predict who’ll win the league who wont before a ball is kicked and they’ll change their minds after one game and then the next.

“All I can say is we are for sure in a better position as a club now from when I took over on and off the pitch so that I’m really pleased with.”

Longhurst, however, isn’t afraid to tinker with a winning side for this all-Kent FA Cup showdown.

“On Saturday I will make several changes as we can’t win the FA Cup and we have some massive games in the league coming up so we will be concentrating on them,” he said.

“I’m sure that the squad can deal with the changes its a long season and we will need to use all the players available hope to see as many of you there as possible to make it a good day.”

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

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Slade Green v Tunbridge Wells
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 16^th August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Small Glen, Moat Lane, Slade Green, Erith