Boris Island 1 - 2 Ryanair

On a night when all but three of the 22 players who came out of the dressing rooms were stepping onto TOSCs hallowed turf for the first time, new look Chatham were undone by two sloppy moments of “defending” against Essex Senior League champions Stansted FC.

The only players in the starting line ups to my knowledge to have played here before were Matthew Solly, Brad Potter and a helpful Danny Ellis, deputising in goal for James Tedder. Lee Maskell later came off the bench and showed us glimpses what a great player he can be when fit – I like many others was surprised when he left us two years ago to join Vickers, but it seems that much like Ashley Probets before him, he has benefited from stepping away from expectation and become a better player. (Maskell was a pro at Ebbsfleet until his release in 2008)

It was a chance to see our new charges, but not our new manager, Paul Foley, absent on holiday. Its going to take ages to learn who everyone is. A few players really stood out, and as usual, in the early days its always the forwards who really catch the eye. Uche Ibemere looks superb – he can take on anyone and go round them, much like the departed Rob Denness, but unlike Mr Chatham ™, it appears Ibemere can cross the ball. Definitely one to look out for. He paired up well with Danny Penny, a man who is basically Lee Barnett in five years time. Penny, like Barnett, appears to all intents and purposes to be too fat and too slow to be any good. But his physical appearance is deceptive – he has all the flicks of Barnett and can smack it first time just as well as Mr B. He also has some pace about him – perhaps he’s not that big at all, and its just our figure hugging new kit that makes him look big.

Elsewhere, both wingers looked decent – Nick Hegley is clearly class and is the first player I’m going to use the word “contract” about. Other than that, there were so many positives last night Ryan Laker came off the bench, and even managed to showboat a bit with some dainty chipped passes. Its great news that Foley has kept such talent at the club, we simply mustn’t waste it a la Kedwell / Collin etc etc, and he becomes the second use of the word “contract”.

We are away to Hythe on Saturday, where we will undoubtedly concede five Brendon “Dirty Cash” Cass goals, before a run of home games against senior opposition.

The only concern I have is that we have no deputy for the injured James Tedder. Danny Ellis was “borrowed” from Faversham last night (the team also known as Chatham reserves), but the worry is that we’ve conceded 3 soft goals due to disorganisation in defence whilst Tedder is missing. Its very important that Tedder is fit again soon – yes, he knows his back four, but match practice is everything.