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Slade Green's coach sent off as misery continues
Slade Green 1-2 Erith Town
Go Travel Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 10 April 2004
Report by Robert Smith

SLADE GREEN coach Peter Little was sent off from the dug out as Green sunk to their 9th straight defeat in a 2-1 reverse against local neighbours Erith Town at The Small Glen.

Little received his marching orders after entering the field of play to vent his frustration following a ruthless challenge from Frank Coles on Green youngster Andy Brown.  Amazingly referee Gary Johnson produced only a yellow card. 

With Green keeper Paul Vines ruled out with broken jaw sustained in the previous weeks game at Deal, Sam Mills was draughted into the side and was twice called into action inside the opening 10 minutes firstly keeping out Richard Usherwood's header before then thwarting a stinging drive from Danny Little. 

With 17 minutes played 'The Dockers' edged ahead, a slack clearance from Mills fell to team-mate Phil Miles but his header back lacked pace and was seized upon by Glen McTaggart who coolly slotted the ball home. 

With their very first attack Green levelled the scores on 26 minutes.  Andy Brown made fine inroads down the right flank before whipping in an inch perfect cross to the feet of Shaun Malyon who with a  crisp first time strike volleyed the ball past stranded keeper Chris Arnold.

A lapse in concentration by the home side almost led to a second Erith goal in the 37th minute but Daniel Hogarth fired into the side netting. 

The second half was just 50 seconds old when the visitors regained the lead.  Paul Votier hoisted in a free kick from the left to find the unmarked Hogarth who stole in and place the ball beyond the reach of  Mills. 

Green had their opportunities to once again level the scores, Terry Hodgkinson's free kick smacked off the top of the cross-bar while Brown guided a scissor kick from Malyon's centre wide. 

The introduction of Erith substitute Wayne Grizzle was a cause of concern for the home side as he displayed some silky skills and almost scored as he saw an effort veer just wide of the far post. 

With the game just seconds away from coming to an end Green looked to have grabbed a last gasp equaliser, Dean Corrigan's perfectly weighted corner was met by Paul McCarthy only to see his header flash across the face of the Erith goal.

Slade Green:  Mills, Clark, Sabatino (Frimpong), Morgan, Upson (Corrigan), Miles, Lewis (Hodgkinson), Brown, Malyon, Barton, McCarthy.  Sub not used:  Bond