Chatham Town are out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle. Not that we ever get very far, beaten today at Combined Counties League Chertsey. Chertsey have won their opening four league games with 13 goals scored and just one conceded. Not that much of a giant killing really, more of an oath slaying. Didn't go. No more to add. At least we don't have to face the prospect of Sittingbourne in the next round - not sure how they got on, but one less trip to the Brickies is no big loss.
Onwards and upwards for Ramsgate at home on Monday ,.
Turns out that the game on Monday is off. Ramsgate drew their cup match, and are in replay action this week so its cancelled. Can't help but think that the situation could have been avoided if the Ryman league didn't schedule fixtures for the bank holiday, 48hrs after the first cup games involving step 4 sides. I'd originally posted a bit here about the Medway News ripping off my reports. I've taken it out. I said I'd never go back and edit posts, but this time I have. I can't even be bothered to react to it other than to say, if you want to use my stuff, please ask and at least give this blog a credit.
For those of you who are interested, the report that has taken a fair amount of my Corinthian Casuals match report is here.
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/football/Fuller-credited
-did-Chats-benefit-goal/article-2567625-detail/article.html
Similar eh?
Funny thing is, posted a similar response last season, again for the first home game. Don't remember the Medway News featuring Chatham again after that...
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Auteurs 1-0 Amateurs
Chatham started the season yesterday with a convincing 1-0 win over historical amatuers Corinthian Casuals at TOSC. Joe Fuller has been credited with the goal, but it looked very much like an own goal by unlucky Corinth keeper Luke Naughton.
Chatham started with Calum O'Shea and Joe Fuller leading the line, neither of whom would be Paul Foley's first choice in them positions. O'Shea is a fantastic winger, yet the two combined well and O'Shea launched many of the Chats' attacks sitting deep behind fuller, combining well with Brad Potter and Nick Hegley on many occasions.
Corinth rarely threatened, James Tedder having to make only one save of note alongside a couple of shots that had the home directors ducking for cover in the Pavillion End, and had it not been for some solid keeping at the other end by Naughton, Chatham could have won this game by at least three.
With Uche Ibemere and Danny Penny both out, we can expect things on the pitch to improve. To be frank, we still looked good without them. In fact, the football was very very good - I don't recall seeing such good passing and movement at TOSC (well, at least not be the home side).
Off the pitch, the club have announced they are now trading as Private Limited Company. This coincides with a "fanshare" scheme, similar to that of Arsenal and Barcelona, the aim being to raise much needed funds to improve the corporate facilities at the ground. £50 buys one share, and the voting rights that come with it. I'm feeling very positive about it, but would like to see some sort of reward scheme for shareholders, perhaps discounts on entry / bar / merchandise. That said, don't think this to be negative, anything that aims to improve the club's standing from its forever and a day mid table mediocrity and low profile should be rewarded.
Tuesday sees us travel to Merstham, where another three points would be most welcome. Sadly, our next Saturday home match is not until 25th September, and its then another month until our next Ryman League Soccer Saturday... plenty of Tuesdays I suppose, but in truth summer came and went yesterday didn't it? Hope we've got a good deal with our electricity supplier.
Chatham started with Calum O'Shea and Joe Fuller leading the line, neither of whom would be Paul Foley's first choice in them positions. O'Shea is a fantastic winger, yet the two combined well and O'Shea launched many of the Chats' attacks sitting deep behind fuller, combining well with Brad Potter and Nick Hegley on many occasions.
Corinth rarely threatened, James Tedder having to make only one save of note alongside a couple of shots that had the home directors ducking for cover in the Pavillion End, and had it not been for some solid keeping at the other end by Naughton, Chatham could have won this game by at least three.
With Uche Ibemere and Danny Penny both out, we can expect things on the pitch to improve. To be frank, we still looked good without them. In fact, the football was very very good - I don't recall seeing such good passing and movement at TOSC (well, at least not be the home side).
Off the pitch, the club have announced they are now trading as Private Limited Company. This coincides with a "fanshare" scheme, similar to that of Arsenal and Barcelona, the aim being to raise much needed funds to improve the corporate facilities at the ground. £50 buys one share, and the voting rights that come with it. I'm feeling very positive about it, but would like to see some sort of reward scheme for shareholders, perhaps discounts on entry / bar / merchandise. That said, don't think this to be negative, anything that aims to improve the club's standing from its forever and a day mid table mediocrity and low profile should be rewarded.
Tuesday sees us travel to Merstham, where another three points would be most welcome. Sadly, our next Saturday home match is not until 25th September, and its then another month until our next Ryman League Soccer Saturday... plenty of Tuesdays I suppose, but in truth summer came and went yesterday didn't it? Hope we've got a good deal with our electricity supplier.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Squad announced.... Ibermere, Solly and Laker on contract.
The full squad for the coming season is on the official site.
http://tinyurl.com/2vq86q3
No room for youth product and England Schoolboy Michael Scott by the look of things, but that said, I think he's probably due to go to university this year.
This blog called for Uche Ibermere, Matt Solly and Ryan Laker to get contracts. I'm sure Paul Foley (Axel, to the fans / me / one other) doesn't read this, but its good to know he spotted the quality that I did. We've got such a strong squad, and by all accounts the football we witnessed against Ebbsfleet wasn't a one off, with a subsequent 2-0 win over Maidstone's first team, and a creditable 1-1 draw against fellow Premier side Folkestone.
This Saturday sees the season kick off. A first chance to really get to know our new players, James Tedder should start in goal ahead of new signing Adam Molloy. Why on earth Ollie Cotton doesn't want to play, who knows, but I'm sure we've got enough. Ollie was that impressive in his recent return spell, I think he'd possibly pip Tedder to the no1 shirt.
Elsewhere, Danny Penny is out for possibly the best part of the season with a sore knee. Joe Fuller and Uche Ibemere should start as our front two, but continuing the theme of "famous sons" new signing George "Just call me dad QPR and Spurs Legend Terry Fenwick" Fenwick is an interesting addition to the squad. For those of you who don't remember El Tel MkII, the joys of 80s football and tackles that were simply a part of the game, and not a straight red card, here's a treat for you from the 1982 Cup Final...
Callum O'Shea and Nick Hegley should be our wingers in a 4-4-2, with my tip being Solly and Maskell in the middle. At the back, I'll be honest I don't know who any of them are this term. Potter may get shifted to right back, but he's a better midfielder than full back. In all honesty, last season's closure of the Luton End gave many a chance to more closely examine our backline, which at times last year was much like being asked to inspect your own soil stack in the event of a blockage - ie pretty unpleasant. The Luton End appears to be nearer completion, and having been open for pre-season I'd love it to re-open for at least some of this term. If it remains closed for competitive fixtures, I should be able to give my biased and poorly formed opinions on our defence sooner rather than later... who knows.
3.00pm Saturday. Maidstone Road Theatre of Slapstick Comedy. Corninthian Casuals our guests. Let's get a quick 3 points on the board. Its going to be a season to remember (which I might have said this time last year, but you get the point...)
Until next time, C'Mon Les Chats!!
http://tinyurl.com/2vq86q3
No room for youth product and England Schoolboy Michael Scott by the look of things, but that said, I think he's probably due to go to university this year.
This blog called for Uche Ibermere, Matt Solly and Ryan Laker to get contracts. I'm sure Paul Foley (Axel, to the fans / me / one other) doesn't read this, but its good to know he spotted the quality that I did. We've got such a strong squad, and by all accounts the football we witnessed against Ebbsfleet wasn't a one off, with a subsequent 2-0 win over Maidstone's first team, and a creditable 1-1 draw against fellow Premier side Folkestone.
This Saturday sees the season kick off. A first chance to really get to know our new players, James Tedder should start in goal ahead of new signing Adam Molloy. Why on earth Ollie Cotton doesn't want to play, who knows, but I'm sure we've got enough. Ollie was that impressive in his recent return spell, I think he'd possibly pip Tedder to the no1 shirt.
Elsewhere, Danny Penny is out for possibly the best part of the season with a sore knee. Joe Fuller and Uche Ibemere should start as our front two, but continuing the theme of "famous sons" new signing George "Just call me dad QPR and Spurs Legend Terry Fenwick" Fenwick is an interesting addition to the squad. For those of you who don't remember El Tel MkII, the joys of 80s football and tackles that were simply a part of the game, and not a straight red card, here's a treat for you from the 1982 Cup Final...
Callum O'Shea and Nick Hegley should be our wingers in a 4-4-2, with my tip being Solly and Maskell in the middle. At the back, I'll be honest I don't know who any of them are this term. Potter may get shifted to right back, but he's a better midfielder than full back. In all honesty, last season's closure of the Luton End gave many a chance to more closely examine our backline, which at times last year was much like being asked to inspect your own soil stack in the event of a blockage - ie pretty unpleasant. The Luton End appears to be nearer completion, and having been open for pre-season I'd love it to re-open for at least some of this term. If it remains closed for competitive fixtures, I should be able to give my biased and poorly formed opinions on our defence sooner rather than later... who knows.
3.00pm Saturday. Maidstone Road Theatre of Slapstick Comedy. Corninthian Casuals our guests. Let's get a quick 3 points on the board. Its going to be a season to remember (which I might have said this time last year, but you get the point...)
Until next time, C'Mon Les Chats!!
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
White Road 4 - 1 Wallis Park
North Kent's grimmest towns (arguably) met in a pre-season encounter at TOSC last night, with Chatham running out 4-1 winners against Ebbsfleet United.
Fleet took the chance to rest several first teamers ahead of the opening Blue Square South game this coming Saturday, and played with an experimental back four, but did feature the talents of 32 year old Leon McKenzie, a man who played Championship football for Coventry as recently as 2009, and played several times for League One Charlton last season.
Chatham took a first half lead through a rejuvenated Ryan Restell. The youth team product is coming into his own under Paul Foley and put in a man of the match performance with two goals and an assist for the fourth.
KoS media reported it as a flattering scoreline for Chatham. It was anything but. Fleet threatened often but failed to make possession count for goals, Ollie Cotton, returning to the Chatham goal after a six year absence putting in a performance that has rightly led to some Fleet fans asking on their forum that Liam Daish signs him up as a number 2 to the rested Preson Edwards. James Tedder, still not recovered fully from the head gash that has ruled him out of all but the first fifteen minutes of pre-season must be worried. Cotton looked in fine form, making several fine blocks and showing safe hands under pressure.
Restell's early goal was quickly ruled out by Paul Benjamin, who had time to take a touch and place a shot whilst unmarked in the box, but shortly after Restell scored a fine goal, using one touch to take it back to his left and wide of the last defender, before placing a fine half volley past the stranded Hagan.
The second half started in earnest, Fleet unhappy at the scoreline, but they failed to take numerous chances, underlining not only their lack of accuracy but also the need for Chatham to install a large net at the Luton end to catch stray balls going into the trees.
Gary Ward added a third after continual pressure from Chatham again exposed the Ebbsfleet rearguard, and a fourth was added within minutes of the final whistle when the debuting Joe Fuller worked well with Restell on the wing to create space before whistling a shot in at the near post.
Callum O'Shea and Lee Maskell were both very impressive, as was Gary Ward for a Chatham side still being learned by many of the Chats faithful. O'Shea, a Charlton trainee has the pace of a young professional, and can turn tricks on the wing, and provide crosses with accuracy. His corner taking was excellent, and will be a great addition to the side if Chatham can retain his services. There was no Uche Imbemere on show last night, which goes to show the real depth Paul Foley has established in his squad. So much so, Ashley Probets, released by Dartford and expected by many to be a shoe-in at TOSC, has signed today for Thamesmead Town. Interesting times await.
A bumper crowd should be expected for Saturday's friendly with a disgruntled Maidstone, before our final friendly next Tuesday at home again to Ryman Premier opposition in the form of Folkestone Invicta. The first game of the Ryman season is on the 21st when we entertain the old amateurs, Corinthian Casuals. It'll be interesting to see how we get on, and I'll be letting you know on the 22nd.
Fleet took the chance to rest several first teamers ahead of the opening Blue Square South game this coming Saturday, and played with an experimental back four, but did feature the talents of 32 year old Leon McKenzie, a man who played Championship football for Coventry as recently as 2009, and played several times for League One Charlton last season.
Chatham took a first half lead through a rejuvenated Ryan Restell. The youth team product is coming into his own under Paul Foley and put in a man of the match performance with two goals and an assist for the fourth.
KoS media reported it as a flattering scoreline for Chatham. It was anything but. Fleet threatened often but failed to make possession count for goals, Ollie Cotton, returning to the Chatham goal after a six year absence putting in a performance that has rightly led to some Fleet fans asking on their forum that Liam Daish signs him up as a number 2 to the rested Preson Edwards. James Tedder, still not recovered fully from the head gash that has ruled him out of all but the first fifteen minutes of pre-season must be worried. Cotton looked in fine form, making several fine blocks and showing safe hands under pressure.
Restell's early goal was quickly ruled out by Paul Benjamin, who had time to take a touch and place a shot whilst unmarked in the box, but shortly after Restell scored a fine goal, using one touch to take it back to his left and wide of the last defender, before placing a fine half volley past the stranded Hagan.
The second half started in earnest, Fleet unhappy at the scoreline, but they failed to take numerous chances, underlining not only their lack of accuracy but also the need for Chatham to install a large net at the Luton end to catch stray balls going into the trees.
Gary Ward added a third after continual pressure from Chatham again exposed the Ebbsfleet rearguard, and a fourth was added within minutes of the final whistle when the debuting Joe Fuller worked well with Restell on the wing to create space before whistling a shot in at the near post.
Callum O'Shea and Lee Maskell were both very impressive, as was Gary Ward for a Chatham side still being learned by many of the Chats faithful. O'Shea, a Charlton trainee has the pace of a young professional, and can turn tricks on the wing, and provide crosses with accuracy. His corner taking was excellent, and will be a great addition to the side if Chatham can retain his services. There was no Uche Imbemere on show last night, which goes to show the real depth Paul Foley has established in his squad. So much so, Ashley Probets, released by Dartford and expected by many to be a shoe-in at TOSC, has signed today for Thamesmead Town. Interesting times await.
A bumper crowd should be expected for Saturday's friendly with a disgruntled Maidstone, before our final friendly next Tuesday at home again to Ryman Premier opposition in the form of Folkestone Invicta. The first game of the Ryman season is on the 21st when we entertain the old amateurs, Corinthian Casuals. It'll be interesting to see how we get on, and I'll be letting you know on the 22nd.
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