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Football teams from the fire brigade, police and local youngsters.
The mini Olympics came to Slade Green recently - but it wasn’t athletics, gymnastics or swimming which marked the day, but rather egg and spoon, ‘toss the cabbage’ and sack races.
The August Bank Holiday weekend saw families descend on Slade Green Recreation Ground for the event organised by ‘Slade Green Decides’ - the local residents’ panel.
Bexley Community Safety Partnership funded it as a way of involving youngsters and building on the area’s growing community spirit. Medals were given out to those who won their particular events.
The local Safer Neighbourhoods policing team provided one of the highlights of the day, with a five a-side football match against the local Fire Brigade. Even with enthusiastic support from the local children, the Police team were beaten in a very close match.
Younger children were kept happy with a bouncy castle and a puppet show, where the children learned to make puppets as well as join in with the fun.
Also taking part in the event was the Areas of Opportunity team, providing information about their work in the area.
“This kind of event gives the community an opportunity to interact with the Safer Neighbourhoods officers on an informal basis, and make people feel that they are able to contact them if they have any concerns about crime and disorder in their area,” says Cllr Chris Ball, Chair of Bexley Community Safety Partnership and Council Leader.
“As a result of events like this one, young people living in Slade Green are continuing to build a stronger relationship with the local police. Residents can also find out how they can contribute towards the work going on in the area, to reduce crime and disorder and anti-social beahaviour.”
Bexley’s Youth Service is about to kick off the borough’s new Ball Court football league. This is the second season for the league, that has so far proved to be a big success with young people, providing a healthy activity once a week to focus on and train for.
Ball Court football is the next step up from playing football in the street. Young people aged between 14 and 19 form a team of five and register.
Each team has a teenage manager who receives league updates every week and makes sure that the other players attend the next game on time. Games last for 20 minutes - eight minutes each side. Players do not wear special kits, except shin pads and bibs.
The next league games will take place at -
Erith School Sports Centre, Astro Pitch on Monday 12th September, 7pm
East Wickham Open Space Ball Court on Tuesday 13th September at 6.30pm
Belvedere Recreation, Albert Park, Ball Court on Wednesday 14th September at 6.30pm
Ocean Park Ball Court, West Street on Thursday 15th September at 6.30pm.
Facilities at East Wickham Open Space, Belvedere Recreation Ground and Ocean Park are new multi-sport ball courts, which have been installed as part of a £3 million investment into children’s play facilities across the borough.
Funding for the scheme came from the Council’s Areas of Opportunity programme and Bexley’s Community Safety Partnership. Charlton Athletic FC provided community coaches to referee games and offer advice along the way, and local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Bexley’s Community Safety Action Zones help to run the scheme..
Registering a team is easy. Either just turn up, or contact Tony Ball, Bexley Youth Service, Welling Youth Centre, Lovel Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 3JQ telephone 020 8855 4046 or mobile 079 808 15783 or e-mail tony.ball@bexley.gov.uk Players must be 14 to 19 years old.
Erith and Belvedere are placed in 5th place in the Kentish Observer League having played
Five league games to date.
The Deres, who were dramatically relegated from the Southern League on the last day of the previous season, began their Kentish Observer League campaign with a tricky away fixture against the unknown quantity of Sporting Bengal United – a side only formed nine years ago.
On a terrible pitch at Mile End Stadium, the pacy Sporting wingers made the most of the sparse grass and they were unfortunate to go in level at the interval. Then came the minnows moment of glory as Ahmed elegantly shot the ball into the top corner. United were so close to a famous victory, but in the 7th minute of stoppage time Luke Morrish headed an equaliser to save the Deres blushes and salvage a draw.
The following Saturday, E&B began their FA Cup game against Wessex League opponents, Hamble ASSC. Despite Hamble taking the lead at Park View Road, the home side always looked as if they were going to win the match and progress to the Preliminary Round. In the end the Deres won 4-2 - a brace from strike pairing Chris Dickson and Darren Adams guiding the home side to victory.
Then came a dramatic Preliminary Round cup tie against higher league opposition in the form of Ryman League side Tooting & Mitcham in front of a bumper 215 crowd. Tooting dominated, but a solid defensive performance from Tony Dakin and Luke Morrish looked to have earned the Deres a replay. However, with just two minutes of normal time remaining, lanky Deres defender Tony Dakin guided the ball in from a corner to provoke ecstatic scenes amongst the home fans. But, it wasn’t to be the Deres night. A rocketing free kick from 40 yards looked to have salvaged a draw for Tooting. The Surrey side compounded the Deres misery as they breached the previously solid Deres defence as James Grant poked the ball home from six yards to book a place in the 1st Qualifying Round for Tooting.
Next was a trip to former Football league side Maidstone – another team tipped for promotion by many. After a disappointing start to the game, the Deres took the lead against the run of play when Chris Dickson scored. It wasn’t long, however, until the Stones equalised through Mo Takaloo. In the second half, Maidstone snatched victory as Mark Rowland gave Maidstone victory.
The following Tuesday, Erith earned their second league point after another disappointing performance at home to local rivals VCD Athletic. A dull 0-0 draw was disappointing to a strong 149 crowd.
A poor start to the season and a reported rift amongst backroom staff prompted three club stalwarts to leave the club. This included Wayne Baldacchino, former Assistant manager and the man that had guided the Reserves to consecutive titles.
The Deres next league opponents were Sevenoaks Town, who had recently lost 9-0 to Beckenham Town. Many expected the Deres to use this game to get their season kick started. Sevenoaks had other plans. Having dominated the opening period, Sevenoaks deservedly took a 1-0 lead on the stroke of half time when Dave Walters bundled the ball over the line from two yards. With just seven minutes left, with little side showing the desire to score, it looked as if Sevenoaks had taken the scalp of the Deres. Deres star player Chris Dickson single-handedly turned the game around as his swerving drive bamboozled the keeper to equalise. ‘Dicko’ wasn’t finished though as he waltzed his way through a confused ‘Oaks defence before slotting the ball into an empty net to give the Deres their first league victory.
Manager Mick Acland and his team seemed to be getting used to life without ‘Chino’as the Deres won their second consecutive league match after a deserved 3-2 victory over Deal Town.
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