10thoct05

Baldacchino prepares to weald the axe
EXCLUSIVE

The Small Glen outfit lost their first round tie, losing 2-1 to Chatham Town, and whilst the first team travel to Herne Bay on Tuesday night and Lordswood next Saturday, Baldacchino's ever changing side host Whitstable Town in the second round of the Reserve Division Cup (2pm).

In what was an even match, the Chats snatched victory late on after a floated cross caught out Slade Green defender Lee Britton, whose headed return caught out goalkeeper Sam Mills and bounced into the unguarded net.

Chatham had taken the lead midway through the first half from the penalty spot before former Bromley youth team player, Stevie Lee equalised for Slade Green with an excellent dipping strike from 15 yards after Mills had delivered a decent ball into the Chatham half.

Chances were created at both ends and more goals could have been scored.

Slade Green now prepare for their match against Kentish Observer League Division One leaders Whitstable Town at the weekend.

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk  Baldacchino raged: "I am upset with the lack of quality and creativity from our players.

"We lacked in a number of areas and were very ordinary.  Ordinary doesn't bring success as far as I'm concerned.

"In 90 minutes, other than the goal we only had one shot on target and that is nowhere near good enough at any level of the game.

"Ray (Bagnell) and I know what is needed at training this week and we hope to put things right before next Saturday.

"Players need to be accountable for their performances and if they cannot accept their responsibilities in a game then I do not want them in this team."

The former Erith & Belvedere coach warned he will weald the axe and bring in players from his old club to bolster his squad.

"Having signed six players from Erith & Belvedere with two more to follow, we have a large squad available for selection and it looks that now we have had three games to assess players we will start to offload a few of the lads," he said.

"Our priority is to gain promotion (into division one) and I will do what I need to achieve that.  If I have to upset people on the way so be it."

Everybody at the club wishes striker Rob Taylor a speedy recovery after being taken to hospital by Ambulance following a heavy fall on his right ankle.

Baldacchino added: "We first thought it might be broken or possibly torn ligaments but having spoken to Rob on Saturday night it seems that he has only strained ligaments so he should be back with is within two or three weeks."

Allen Gobbett will be Baldacchino's seventh signing since joining the club following in the footsteps of Richard Masters, Sam Whittington, Buddy Eastwood, Adam Craig, Lee Britton and Danny Parmenter who all followed him to Slade Green.

Another player has a transfer going through at the moment, and Baldacchino added: "No names mentioned for now but it is a quality individual who will be pushing for a first team place very quickly.

"We are talking to two new players and I think that will be it on the signing front for now."

Meanwhile, first team midfielder, Alan Hanlon has turned down the chance to rejoin local rivals Erith Town.  Hanlon parted company with The Dockers during the summer but was the subject of a seven day approach last week.

However, following a meeting with Erith last Wednesday, the tough tackling midfielder rejected their offer to remain at The Small Glen.

Hanlon's decision comes as a major boost to the club following the recent departures to Thamesmead Town of Aaron Hayrettin and Paul Goss.