Maidstone Utd 0 v 2 VCD Athletic

Kent League Cup Group C

Slade Green 0 v 2 Thamesmead

Kent League Cup Group D

SLADE Green's chances of qualifying for the first knock-out stages of the Kent League Cup became remote as they lost for the second time in a fortnight to rivals Thamesmead Town.

With three straight wins in the group, done without conceding a goal, Thamesmead have virtually booked their ticket into the first round despite facing in-form Beckenham in their next match.

Green will look to two stunning second half saves by Chris Arnold in the visitor's goal from Glen McTaggart and Tony Weir as instrumental in the away win.

But Thamesmead, who controlled the match, could equally look at the excellent performance of Gary Arterton in Green's goal as denying them a more emphatic win.

In addition to the saves Green's Mark Penny also had to clear Sam Thomas' goal bound shot off the line.

Thamesmead broke the deadlock in the second half when, after the award of a dubious corner, Dean Burns rose unchallenged to head home from five yards.

Seven minutes later Burns followed up with an assist, feeding the ball to Thomas who unleased a thunderball over Arterton and into the roof of the net.

Elsewhere in the competition, VCD Athletic turned the form book upside down by inflicting on Maidstone United their first defeat of the season.

On a cold evening VCD were without the services of Phil Turner, Chris Whitehouse and Steve Hogg but they still proved too strong for Maidstone.

Apart from a seemingly never-ending aerial bombardment from the hosts, VCD soon got the measure of their opponents and took the lead through Danny Penny whose volley from 10 yards had the beating of the home goalkeeper.

The second half was all VCD with Mark Greatorex, Lee Coburn (above) and Penny all squandering good chances before top scorer Coburn put VCD on top of group C with the second goal on 80 minutes.

VCD now face tough trips to Deal Town in the league and Arundel in the FA Vase.

Green are away to Sevenoaks on December 3 while Thamesmead meet Sevenoaks on December 12.