Slade Green 2 v Whitstable Town 5 ?All the fives?
 Picture: Marcos Perona scorer of Towns first goal: Town put on a polished 5 star performance against a side
who have not lost in their last 5 outings as they were put to the sword by
inform striker Steve Marshall, the two goals bringing his tally to 5 in the last
two games, Gary Ward also finding the net twice. Whitstable?s Marcos Perona
opening the scoring in the 28th minute with a well-taken goal.
Although the home side had the best chance in the opening exchanges, Jason
Elliot shooting over young Sam Mott?s goal when well placed, Whitstable were
equal to Slade Green in every area of the game. Steve Marshall bursting through
on route-one towards home keeper ex Town?s Gary Arterton?s goal; was squeezed
out by two burly defenders who denied him a chance to shoot. With less than half an hour of the game
played, Gary Ward; with fellow midfielder Perona alongside started to control
the game, neither player is of great stature, but what they lack in height and
build they more than compensate with skill and vision as time and again they
broke up any threat to Towns defensive back line, then set the visitors
forward?s on the attack. The busy Aaron Knight took a corner, which viciously
swerved in the air, Arterton having to punch clear from underneath his own
crossbar.
 Picture: Steve Marshall netted twice for Town: Towns three first half goals came in a scintillating
6-minute spell, Perona with the first, as he mesmerized his marker with some
great footwork, dummied to the right dropped one shoulder and shot with his
left foot, Arterton was left stranded as the ball zipped past him into the net.
At one nil up Town were buzzing and it was no surprise when Ward netted the
second two minutes later, his goal due to some great play by Marshall who held
the ball up well, his perfect layoff was well struck by Ward past Arterton.
With the home side reeling from the two goal blitz, Town made it three in the
32nd minute, the Ward Marshall combination again working well, this
time Marshall finishing with some style to put Town 3-0 ahead. Minutes later it could have been four; Marshall
curled a delightful shot past the outstretched fingertips of Arterton, only to
see his shot bounce off the outside of the home sides upright.
Still Whitstable pressed, Andy Constable linking well with Marshall,
making some great runs off the ball, which time and again opened up the home
sides defence. The first half was nearing its end, as finally the ?Green?
came more into the game, after a couple of wasted corners, one of which was
only half cleared by Towns defence, the ball was fired back in by Lee Morgan,
his strike as the ball struck Marshall?s hand was adjudged to have been
handball by referee Mr Keith Stone. It must be said that Mr Stone had a much improved game than the one
two weeks ago when Whitstable drew 1-1 with Herne Bay, he let the game flow, kept up with play and used a good deal of commen sense when interpreting the laws of the game.
Whitstable?s
keeper Mott saved Morgan?s spot kick, but was unable to stop him shooting in
from just two yards out as he followed up his shot. As one of the
players said as they walked off at half time; ?it?s one of those that you see
the ref either gives it, or waves it away, this time he pointed to the spot.? Half Time: Slade
Green 1 v Whitstable Town 3
 Picture: Gary Ward scored two as Town took control: Town have been criticized by their manage Marc Seager
these last few games for starting the second half as if the game is won, came
outat the start of the second half with more intent. But it was the home sides Elliott who had one of the best
chance to get his side back into the game, his great run down Whitstable?s
flank and subsequent charge into the middle came to nothing as he seemed to
simply run out of steam. With young Darren Bridge stepping up from the reserves
having a very good first game on one flank, Knight working his magic on the
other Whitstable again bossed the game. The visitors fullback Gary Sayer, overlapping with Knight
went on a great run to the by-line, his cross after such good work was a
disappointment, but his vision and running off the ball caused the home side
problems throughout the game. At the back Whitstable skipper Andy Kier, with
Rob Thomas alongside, was a rock. Tom Parker had yet another solid game in what
must by now be a first choice defensive back four for Towns management. In what most observers judged as the best goal of the
game, the Ward-Marshall combination worked again for goal number four for
Whitstable. This time; after Ward won the ball in his own half then raced
forwards, his layoff to Marshall was perfect, as was the return ball from
Marshall which Ward hit past home keeper Arterton in the 71st minute, sending
his team mates dancing with delight.  Picture: Steve Marshall,all smiles after his two goals: At 4-1 ahead; Whitstable went searching for another and
yet again Ward and Marshall worked as one. Marshall drawing Arterton before
slotting the ball low into the net after being sent clear by Ward to notch up
goal number five for Whitstable in the 80th minute. With the game drawing to a close; the home side added
their second goal after a defensive slip, as a headed ball was only half
cleared by Town?s defence, Tony Weir netting from close range. Minutes before
Weir scored Mott had pulled off the save of the game, denying Morgan after his
well-taken free kick was fired over Towns defensive wall, Mott tipping the ball
over at the last second.
 Picture: Andy Constable after 90 minutes of non stop football: Town manager Seager speaking after the game: ?We knew what a good
run Slade Green have had lately, you do not go five games unbeaten and not
taken seriously, we take every game seriously. Which is why I had my coach,
Simon Halsey looked at them in the week; we had a game plan on how to approach
this match. I am pleased that we took the trouble as it all
worked out for us today and anyone who was at the game must have been impressed
with the way our lads played. Tom (Parker) and Gary (Sayer) who were both
doubtful last night as they were unwell both had excellent games. Another plus
was young Daren Bridge had his first game for the first team and from the
keeper young Sam right through the whole side the lads were superb, I can?t ask
for more.?
Team: Sam Mott:
Gary Sayer: Rob Thomas: Andy Kier (capt) Tom Parker: Marcos Perona: Gary Ward:
Aaron Knight: Darren Bridge: Andy Constable: Steve Marshall Subs: Mark Lane: Michel Adcock:
Andy Martin: (Marshall) Sam Baker: (Sayer) Jake Gess: (Bridge) Tony Rouse WTFC ? 2005
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