Cup fever landed officially at the Theatre of Slapstick Comedy today as Sussex County League Eastbourne United Association visited for the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.
Chatham Town manager Don Logan decided to start Lee Barnett in place of Justin Ascheri, pairing him with Brendon Cass, with Tom Davey starting in place of the injured Mark Green. Razor Powell started at right back, with recent incumbent Brad Potter starting in place of the injured Richard Avery (see note at bottom).
It took just three minutes for the game to come alive, when Lee Barnett started a move in the middle of the park, finding Steve Hafner on the wing. Running into the box, Barnett was first to reach Hafner's cross to send the ball home past United's keeper Nick Maynard.
After the goal, Chatham kept searching to break down their opponents, but found it tough to win the second ball against a spirited and packed midfield, Solly and Lyons very much outnumbered at times, but were composed at the back. The game was played with the gusto of a cup tie, and there were plenty of mini battles taking place, the referee doing a good job of allowing the game to be played in the spirit of the occasion.
That said, Eastbourne United did threaten themselves. They're a tidy passing side, and the midfield had plenty of possession but they rarely threatened, their best chance falling when Ben Billings got goalside of Ray Powell but sliced his shot well wide.
At half time, Chatham could consider themselves unlucky not to have added to their lead, but for all their possession, there were too many long balls played forward into space for Cass, who at times was operating as a lone striker as Barnett became embroiled in holding the ball up in midfield. Cass, a true fox in the box striker if ever there was one, does not have the pace for this type of game, so despite his best endeavours it was no surprise to see him replaced in the second period by Justin Ascheri.
The second half appeared much the same, although it was something of a sucker punch to what had for once looked like a sturdy back four when United's Steve Dallaway (who has a Diana haircut by the way) hit a speculative but well aimed drive from outside the box past an outstretched Stroud to level the tie. At this point, Chatham got a bit more interested, but couldn't do enough to clinch the game. Barnett pushed forward more, taking advantage of the jinking runs of Ascheri and Solly to get himself into the box, but was let down too many times in service to be able to really create. He tried and tried, and his persistence was nearly rewarded when he managed to shield the ball from two defenders, turn and fire a shot in that hit a 'bourne defender on the arm, the referee resolutely not giving a penalty on the old "ball to hand" logic. Barnett had earlier headed a cross inches wide, and it was summed up that this was not to be Chatham's day when with the last kick of the game, a shot come cross from Tom Davey hit the join of the upright and the bar. In truth, it would have been an injustice for United had Chatham again won a match with the last kick of the game, and they will be tough opponents for the Chats on the long trip to the south coast this coming Tuesday for the replay.
Chatham: Stroud; Probets, Powell, Payne, Potter; Lyons, Solly, Hafner, Davey; Cass, Barnett (subs Binks, Ascheri, Dodsworth, Ellis)
Highlights: A much better "90 minute" performance. AOB wanted one, and he got it. Shame it wasn't rewarded, but their goal was an old school screamer.
Lowlights: The lengthy injury to United keeper Nick Maynard that added ten minutes to the first half. Ambulance job.
The ref: Let it be cup tie. Well done.
In conclusion: A good performance, but didn't get the result. Will be a tough trip to their ground on Tuesday, particularly if their support can remain as vocal as it was today. We need to get that sort of thing going again. Where are the West Stand Boys????
MOTM: For my money, it was Ben Payne, did a no nonsense job at the back, and is looking more assured with each game.
Pointless fact: There was no alcohol allowed out of the bar today as it was a cup game, but, in good news there are plans afoot to refurbish the bar area, which will be welcome.
Next up: Them, at their place, on Tuesday night, the first of two long trips to the south coast in five days (Worthing away next Saturday). Must win it to keep a cup dream alive (and, if we go out, there's no home game until the 19th - three weeks away - I can't stand it when the fixtures go like that)
Note: Richard Avery is injured. I was mistaken when I thought his substitution at half time last week was anything other than injury related. Please do note that I have no official sources of information at the club, and wish for it remain that way. What you read here is always my opinion and is always therefore sujbective.
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