We've under-achieved this season, admits Heaslewood

Adam Heaslewood, the player-coach at Slade Green, has described his first season at the Small Glen “eventful,” writes Stephen McCartney.

Slade Green travel to Faversham Town on the final day of the Kent League season on Saturday, with only Tunbridge Wells and Sporting Bengal United below them in the table.

But the Green will leapfrog over Erith Town with a win at Salters Lane, and if the Dockers lose at Tunbridge Wells.

Danny Evans, Andy Silk and Heaslewood took over from Phil Miles and Terry Malin (who have taken Greenwich Borough into the top five this season) during the close season, and Heaslewood is pleased with the trio’s first foray into management.

“At the start of the season all managers will sit down and set targets for the side to achieve and try to map out how you will reach the goals set,” Heaslewood told the club’s website.

“Danny, Silky and myself were no different, and pulled together a squad from scratch, which we though would be capable to compete.

“We will be the first to admit that we have underachieved this season, particularly after an encouraging pre-season programme.

“However, this is not to say that we haven’t enjoyed some good times this season.

“We have put in some very good performances against the top teams and achieved some good results against teams that have been challenging for honours.

“Our main problem has been consistency, and the ability to take points from teams around us.

“Throughout the season we have also had to endure our fair amount of misfortune.

“We have had some long-term injuries to key players and also some questionable decisions from officials.

“They say in football that your luck balances out during the course of the season. I personally think that your lick balances out during the course of the season.”

Despite not being able to pay players wages, Heaslewood is delighted with the morale in the camp.

He said: “The players this year have been a good bunch to work with. We have not had a bad apple within the group and the mood and banter in the dressing room has been spot on.

“They have been receptive to our techniques and have, on a whole, given it their all.

“Our philosophy has not changed since the start of the season, wanting the players to express themselves and enjoy their football.

“We are determined not to just let the season fade out and will be doing everything possible to achieve as high a finish as possible.”

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