Greenwich Borough 1 v 2 VCD Athletic

Kent Preimer League

ALTHOUGH this was VCD's first game of the season they got off to a flyer and found themselves 2-0 ahead at the break.

But it was a different story in the second half as a resurgent Greenwich side fought back to push the title contenders all the way.

VCD gave debuts to Danny Edwards from Sittingbourne and former skipper Gary Ward, back from a season at Whitstable Town.

Despite the numerous team changes VCD only had to wait eight minutes to take the lead.

Mark Greatorex robbed a defender to round another before taking the ball round the keeper to shoot into an empty net.

VCD were in full flight with Danny Penny enjoying his position as the pivot of the forward line with Ashley Probets and Ward in total command in the midfield.

The visitors were looking to take the league leaders apart with every attacking move and it was not long before Greatorex added the second, latching on to a throughball from Ward before rounding the keeper again to fire home.

It could have been more before the break with Penny, Probets and Winchcombe all missing chances.

New Greenwich boss Peter Garland must have read the riot act at half-time as his team came out fired up for the second 45 minutes.

It did not take them long to get into their stride and it was no surprise when former Tunbridge Wells favourite Dave Hassett pulled a goal back.

Greenwich were in full control now and VCD needed to be at their best to repel the attacks.

They also needed a slice of luck when a penalty decision did not go Greenwich's way as many of those watching thought it would.

However, VCD had their chances to kill the game off with Abbott, Paul Foley and Probets going close.

VCD introduced two new signings in Dean Burns from Tunbridge and Kevin Spriggs from Dartford to see them home.

Boss Martin Ford said: "We are at the moment far from being contenders for the title.

"If you had turned up to watch this match and left at half time you would have thought that we were the favourites but football is a game of two halves and although we played well for 45 minutes we showed a lack of discipline and fitness which is required to win the league.

"We have not played the number of games in pre-season I would have liked and I felt our second half performance showed this.

"But fair play to Peter Garland. His Greenwich side will certainly take a lot of points off sides who will consider themselves title contenders."

MATCH FACTS VCD: Wallis, Edwards, Foley, Coburn, Hunt, Abbott (Burns), Probets, Ward (Spriggs), Winchcombe, Penny, Greatorex.

SUBS NOT USED: Barry, Horan, Ratchford.