Greenwich Borough 0 v 1 VCD Athletic

Kentish Observer Premier League

VCD ATHLETIC took maximum points over the Christmas holidays by following up their 2-0 win over Greenwich Borough with a hard-fought victory in the return fixture.

The visitors had to overcome a double blow in the first-half when influential midfielder Danny Penny went off with a nasty head injury - which later needed 12 stitches - and defender Chris Whitehouse limped off with a groin strain.

Greenwich started with three attackers and they had the better of the opening exchanges with VCD relying on the superb Grant Wallis between the sticks to keep the scores level.

VCD slowly got into the game with Lee Coburn and Ashley Probets guilty of missing good chances but they broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time after Probets was fouled on the edge of the penalty area.

Stuart Abbott, the replacement for the unfortunate Penny, landed his kick onto James Brown's head and the ball sailed past the stranded keeper for 1-0.

The second-half started with VCD debutant Alan Owen going close before Paul Foley hit the woodwork.

As the game wore on it appeared the visitor's would take all three points until, with just seconds left on the clock, Martin Driscoll handled the ball in the penalty area and Greenwich were awarded a spot kick.

But keeper Wallis is part of the meanest defence in the league and he showed why by saving the kick to his right, much to the delight of the travelling supporters.

VCD manager Martin Ford said: "Greenwich deserved a point but we have become a hard side to beat having now lost one game in the last 18 and winning 15 of them.

"We have a great deal of determination in the squad, long may it continue."

VCD are eighth in the Kentish Observer Premier League although they have at least two games in hand on the teams around them.

They now face a trip to Deal Town in the quarter-final of the Kent Senior Trophy on January 7.

VCD: Wallis; Whitehouse (Hunt); Foley; Driscoll; Penny (Abbott); Brown; Horan; A Probets; C Probets; Coburn; Owen (Bennett).

Subs not used: Murphy; Hogg.

Att: 52.