Cash 3 - 4 Chats

I was unable to attend last night's match at the Keith Tuckey Stadium. I'd mentioned in previous post though, my fear of the game. Athletico Croydon had got off to a flyer in the league - scoring twelve without reply in their opening two games against our kentish neighbours Whitstable and Ashford, before being held to a goalless draw at pre-season joint favourites, but yet to ignite, Met Police.

Well, as will probably be the case for most away games this season, there has to be an alternative to the official version of events, and what better way than to do this shambolically, by paraphrasing other people's work and journalism? If everyone else is doing it why can't I?

In short, Chatham went to the game very much underdogs - and came from 3-1 down to win 4-3, with Brendon Cass bagging the winner in stoppage time. According to Athletico's official site, Matt Solly was an instrumental part of our victory, and on one of the galacticos forum postings states that Steve Hafner had a good half. Chatham's goals were scored by Cass (2), Solly and Barnett, the big former Slade Green hit man again a second half substitute. I'm beginning to suspect that this is tactical, but am now struggling to believe that Justin Ascheri can keep his place, particularly now that Lee is off the blocks in the goal race. Yes, he's been slow to score this season (1 in 4 games, all started on the bench), but the man scored 16 in 19 games for us last season, having already scored 12 for Slade Green before he joined us in November. His only fault for my mind is that he can read the game better than most of his team mates, and if they're not on his wavelength, its frustrating for all.

Anyway, I've digressed. McCartney, over on kentishfootball, didn't cover the game, but has since interview Big Don Logan (AOB - see post on YMCA game for reference). He's still not happy - he wants to see 90 minutes from us, and I think he's going to get it this Saturday against Eastbourne United in the Cup. Turns out Avery's done his hamstring, so let's hope that Tommy Binks is back from his working excursion to Abergavenny or wherever it is that he's gone, to shore up our defence. However we look at the league table, and two injury time winning performances in a week, we've shipped more goals than anyone bar Ashford (who are bottom), but if we keep scoring one more than "them" (whoever "them" are each game), we can't go far wrong - we just may all die of stress in the meantime...

On the whole though, its hard to be negative about the whole thing. I wish Croydon well. McCartney quoted that "some fans" referred to us on the Croydon forum as a "nothing club". In truth, one fan said that, and more than that were complintary, commenting that Chatham deserved their win. It also says on McCartney that Croydon were "cocky big spenders" who had hired the £600 England team bus for last week's trip to Whitstable. That may be true, but £600 to take 16 players, perhaps four members of coaching staff, and perhaps ten committee members and supporters (and limiting numbers to 30 is lets face it for a bus, on the light side), that works out at £20 each return, or £10 single. Cost of a train from Thornton Heath to Whitstable? £24.10. I don't think its fair to refer to Croydon Athletic as "cocky". In fact, I think its unhelpful. What is a bit cocky though, is that the Croyon supporter who posted video on youtube of the game, missed our last two goals... never mind, we'll have to make do with imagination.