Gardner still wants Bethnal Green improvement
Perfectionist Justin Gardner wants his Bethnal Green United side to be more ruthless in front of goal despite seeing them hammer Barking last Saturday
Perfectionist Justin Gardner wants his Bethnal Green United side to be more 'ruthless in front of goal' despite seeing them hammer Barking last Saturday.
Greens hit four in their Gordon Brasted Trophy second roundmatch-up at Mile End Stadium and although he was understandably pleased with the showing, he admitted improvements could be made.
"I was very impressed with that performance and we played our best football of the season on Saturday, but the only bad point is that we need to be more ruthless in front of goal," he said.
"We are in great form and have scored 10 goals in our last three games, so maybe I am just greedy."
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After a blistering start where Green were at their passing best, they opened the scoring after 35 minutes through Leon Ryan, who after playing a neat one-two with Marlon Campbell, found himself one-on-one with Barking goalkeeper Chris Clark and finished with aplomb.
The visitors struggled against the pace and the passing and were thankful to Clark who pulled numerous saves to keep his side in the match at half-time.
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Substitute Anton Stephenson headed home a Marlon Boateng cross after 60 minutes to double his side's lead and it was three five minutes later through Boateng.
The scoring for the Greens was completed 10 minutes before full-time when Campbell had all the time in the World to bring the ball down on his chest in the Barking area, before swivelling and placing the ball into the corner of the net.
There was a black mark for the home defence however when two minutes before full-time, the smallest player on the pitch, Ricky Mackin managed to elude markers to head home for a Barking consolation.
"I thought it was a comprehensive victory and to be honest I thought we destroyed them," Gardner said, before praising his in-form side.
"Marlon Campbell, captain Ainsley Gasper and Leon Ryan were awesome on Saturday, but it was a tremendous team performance.
"I am delighted with the way things are going right now.
"We have no injuries and the competiton for places within the team is fierce and that is how I want it.
"We have the best defensive record in the league and we are scoring plenty of goals as well right now.
"Everyone who plays has to come in and perform or they won't be playing next week. We have been great recently and the sky is the limit for us right now."
By Matt Diner
