Chatham came away from the Met Police's Imber Court ground as the first side to take any points from the team formerly known as police officers (just Craig Brown for the home side is employed by the Met). It was an outstanding result, but was one that you could, if you were prone to taking analogies too far, compare to a bag snatch on the tube, Chatham coming from two goals down to steal a deserved point and hang on the latter throes of the game to avoid defeat.
Met Police started the stronger, and showed throughout the first half why they are champions elect - a 100& record going in to the match, having scored 28 goals and conceded just twice. They had that something that we don't have, and that is something that money can buy, and that's the quality that meant so many of the individual battles on the field went their way.
They were two up within 40 minutes, and it could have been four or five if not for some excellent defending. Their first goal was sublime, scored by the only police officer in the side, Craig Brown, a run through the heart of the defence and a scorching daisy cutter across to Tedder's right. The second was comically awful. The Imber Court ground is soulless, so it wasn't even noticed by some that a goal had been scored, such was the lack of reaction from the 110 strong crowd. Tedder fumbled the ball and dropped it to the feet of a Met player who fired into the empty net - I say fired, I mean passed.
In full credit to Chats, they picked up the pace when they could realistically have capitulated. Chatham had not been completely out of the game, and when Ray Powell broke into the box, he unleashed a powerful drive that was well held by the league's best keeper, Mo Mann. A very brave refereeing decision followed, and it was one that shocked the entire Met side, the ref awarding a penalty for a push on Powell that most had missed, and hadn't appeared to impede the diminutive utility man's ability to get a shot in. Powell himself stepped up, took a worrying lack of steps and time over it (I was convinced he'd spoon it over) and walloped it into the top corner, in the sixth minute of stoppage time. There was so much stoppage time that the first half ended as most second half's were kicking off.
Chatham came out first in the second half to the, I hope, ironic use of the Clash's I Fought The Law. Really. One Copper. Its like us coming out to Joe Le Taxi because Gary Ward's a London Cabbie. Word has it that Tedder's doing the knowledge - perhaps we should rename our team London Hackney Carriage Association FC?
All now redundant abuse of the Met Police team for not being police aside (the only problem I have is that they still don't have to play on public holidays due to the need to staff events, which would be fine if they still only fielded serving officers, but they don't, so they should have to honour fixtures the same as everyone else), Chatham were the better side in a second half that saw the until then composed Met Police start to fall apart, bicker and swear (proof they're not coppers then), and Chats scored a great equaliser on 60 minutes, with that man Potter again unmarked in the box. I bloomin' love Brad Potter. Without fail, he always turns up in the box unmarked and scores. Genius.
Met threatened in the closing stages, but Chats stood firm. In fact, Chatham could have stolen all three points had the outstanding Mann not beaten Huggins to a quick through ball. Huggins had a great game, and despite drawing a blank, he chased every ball which some other should take note of. And it was good to see Foley throw on Maskell and Solly together early in the second half to spice things up. It worked. Special mention should go to James Tedder and Brad Potter who played on despite injury due to a lack of subs. If Tedder had gone off in the first half, we'd have been beaten as comprehensively as a Guardian reader at a G20 protest.
In the last three games, we've taken five points, two of them against the top two. Things are improving and looking up. Burgess Hill at home next Saturday. Three points please.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
An apology to Paul Foley
Hands up, I went overboard on Saturday. I'm sure you're doing your very best, and results must be frustrating for you as much as they are for everyone else. I formally apologise for putting the boot in when you were most likely already down.
I'd also like to apologise to the players for the implication that they're either a) not very good or b) not committed, this is clearly not the case.
I'll support whoever plays in the red and black of the chats, and whoever is picking the team as long as there is mutual respect for the club.
Roll on Saturday and 3 points!
I'd also like to apologise to the players for the implication that they're either a) not very good or b) not committed, this is clearly not the case.
I'll support whoever plays in the red and black of the chats, and whoever is picking the team as long as there is mutual respect for the club.
Roll on Saturday and 3 points!
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Bulit your house on sand 1 - 2 Built your house on Brickies
It was awful today. Seven years since we've beaten our rivals Sittingbourne. Its the sort of statistic you expect Guy Mowbray to run out ("Its 7898 years since Blackpool beat Arsenal"), but we've been in the same division for all but one of those seasons. And today, it hurt.
It hurt that we were really quite good for the first half hour. It hurt that we seemed to stop caring. It hurt that a Sittingbourne side with as much of a budget as us won the game justifiably. Despite Leroy Huggins second goal in as many games (and a very well taken one it was too), we were never in this in the second half, and lost to frankly, two crap goals, the first, a retaken penalty , the second a placed shot across goal where the Chatham defence apart from the larger than life Kevin Winchcombe appeared to have stopped playing. It was like watching a weird sci-fi film, where some character finds everything frozen still and just walks through it.
The biggest attraction today was, in his own mind at least, referee Mr Venamore. From the off, and I mean it, it was the first tackle of the game, he called it back for a foul on Nick Hegley. It wasn't. Here was a man who dreams of the Premier League. He might be lucky enough to get a Ryman Premier game once. Every moment he could find, he gave the big lecture, took his eye off the ball to call back incidents that are just part of the game at any level (football, it should be remembered, is a contact sport). He did though, play no part in our downfall. We deserved to lose, as the Bourne keeper made not one save. He took plenty of wayward crosses, but not one save to make. His knees left the pitch as clean as they came on.
When we were good, we were very good, but we just weren't good enough. And Foley made perhaps his strangest tactical decision, one I didn't frankly understand, and that was to play Joe Fuller in the middle, where you would normally expect to find Matt Solly, or Lee Maskell. Fuller, to his credit, played well, but when you need a killer pass, its not him that will do that - its Solly.
Which got me thinking. How many of today's starting eleven are local lads? I know its about more than that, but the thing that this club always did well was local. I've not been going forever, but could comfortably say Ross Finn, Dan Larkin, Mark Brookes, Brendon Cass, Pat Bishenden, Justin Ascheri, Tommy Binks, Dave Botterill, Micky Dodsworth, Richard Stroud, Rob Denness, all local lads from Medway, and there just the ones that trip off the tongue. Today's starting eleven (Tedder, Winchcombe , Barton, Fuller, J Hogg, Potter, Powell, Ward, Huggins, Ibemere, Hegley) does not, to my knowledge (and I may be wrong, but I think I'm not) include one player either from the Medway Towns, or from the youth set up. Without wishing to sound all Daily Mail, it just isn't right. The clubs appeals to be a beacon in the community. Solly and Restell, the two greatest products of the youth set up in recent years are on the bench. What does that say to the youth coming through? The only exception to the rule is Brad Potter. He's an adopted Chat, because he's been here with three managers and still loves the club.
And there's something that's really getting my goat. We've got to put faith in Foley. We have no choice. But he starts needing to put a bit of faith in us. Have you noticed how in press interviews, and comments on the website, he refers to "us" or "we" but refers to things that are not Chatham Town FC?
Example: Kentonline, Thursday 14th October,(http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway_messenger/sport/2010/october/14/chatham_fc.aspx) Foley, when asked if he is worried by us not beating Sittingbourne since before the Industrial Revolotion says "I’m not fussed by that all and have no connection with any ‘history’ between the sides over the last few seasons." You may have no history or connection Paul, but you should bloody feel it for the fans, committee and members of the club.
When commenting on the signing of Leroy Huggins (a good one too), he says, on the Offfical Site "'I'm delighted to welcome Leroy back home really as we know him so well and he knows most of the lads in the squad." Yes. Home. Really, come on.
I'd be unhappy with this if we were winning, if I'm honest. Its like we've built a team and not a club. Let's all have a love in and sort this out.
Away from that, I've been thinking about the Bondholder scheme. Needs to be half the price, or you need to get a lot more. Why will I pay £50 to part fund a bar I won't be allowed in, and that will take the players and officials even further away from the fans? If I'm going to part with £50 I want a permanent discount in the plebs bar, and a discount of 25% on the gate. And the programme? £2!!! Don't get me started. Whether or not its any good I don't know, because I won't buy one. That plus entry leaves no change from a tenner. Not good value.
But, a positive, and that the free entry to the Chipstead game on the 18th December - free that is if you buy three match programmes for the November games. Otherwise, its £2, which is a very good idea. Its being sponsored by the nice people at Plumbase. Should be applauded. What shouldn't be applauded is the free pint at the bar for Season Ticket holders. A great idea, if you know how to buy a season ticket... its not something I've ever seen advertised or know anything about. How much are they, where do you get one etc etc etc...
Right. That's officially my last moan until the next one. I've been trying to be positive, but we were never in it today, and if the Manager doesn't appreciate what a game against Sittingbourne means to the fans, then how will the players? I'm sure Matt Solly and Ryans Restell and Laker would have a feeling, but there you go. They don't get a game. Perhaps we could get fired up for the big derby game with whoever it is that are VCD's rivals... you never know, we might meet them in the KL next year if we don't sort this out.
Home to table topping Leatherface next week. Come on lads - get winning!
It hurt that we were really quite good for the first half hour. It hurt that we seemed to stop caring. It hurt that a Sittingbourne side with as much of a budget as us won the game justifiably. Despite Leroy Huggins second goal in as many games (and a very well taken one it was too), we were never in this in the second half, and lost to frankly, two crap goals, the first, a retaken penalty , the second a placed shot across goal where the Chatham defence apart from the larger than life Kevin Winchcombe appeared to have stopped playing. It was like watching a weird sci-fi film, where some character finds everything frozen still and just walks through it.
The biggest attraction today was, in his own mind at least, referee Mr Venamore. From the off, and I mean it, it was the first tackle of the game, he called it back for a foul on Nick Hegley. It wasn't. Here was a man who dreams of the Premier League. He might be lucky enough to get a Ryman Premier game once. Every moment he could find, he gave the big lecture, took his eye off the ball to call back incidents that are just part of the game at any level (football, it should be remembered, is a contact sport). He did though, play no part in our downfall. We deserved to lose, as the Bourne keeper made not one save. He took plenty of wayward crosses, but not one save to make. His knees left the pitch as clean as they came on.
When we were good, we were very good, but we just weren't good enough. And Foley made perhaps his strangest tactical decision, one I didn't frankly understand, and that was to play Joe Fuller in the middle, where you would normally expect to find Matt Solly, or Lee Maskell. Fuller, to his credit, played well, but when you need a killer pass, its not him that will do that - its Solly.
Which got me thinking. How many of today's starting eleven are local lads? I know its about more than that, but the thing that this club always did well was local. I've not been going forever, but could comfortably say Ross Finn, Dan Larkin, Mark Brookes, Brendon Cass, Pat Bishenden, Justin Ascheri, Tommy Binks, Dave Botterill, Micky Dodsworth, Richard Stroud, Rob Denness, all local lads from Medway, and there just the ones that trip off the tongue. Today's starting eleven (Tedder, Winchcombe , Barton, Fuller, J Hogg, Potter, Powell, Ward, Huggins, Ibemere, Hegley) does not, to my knowledge (and I may be wrong, but I think I'm not) include one player either from the Medway Towns, or from the youth set up. Without wishing to sound all Daily Mail, it just isn't right. The clubs appeals to be a beacon in the community. Solly and Restell, the two greatest products of the youth set up in recent years are on the bench. What does that say to the youth coming through? The only exception to the rule is Brad Potter. He's an adopted Chat, because he's been here with three managers and still loves the club.
And there's something that's really getting my goat. We've got to put faith in Foley. We have no choice. But he starts needing to put a bit of faith in us. Have you noticed how in press interviews, and comments on the website, he refers to "us" or "we" but refers to things that are not Chatham Town FC?
Example: Kentonline, Thursday 14th October,(http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway_messenger/sport/2010/october/14/chatham_fc.aspx) Foley, when asked if he is worried by us not beating Sittingbourne since before the Industrial Revolotion says "I’m not fussed by that all and have no connection with any ‘history’ between the sides over the last few seasons." You may have no history or connection Paul, but you should bloody feel it for the fans, committee and members of the club.
When commenting on the signing of Leroy Huggins (a good one too), he says, on the Offfical Site "'I'm delighted to welcome Leroy back home really as we know him so well and he knows most of the lads in the squad." Yes. Home. Really, come on.
I'd be unhappy with this if we were winning, if I'm honest. Its like we've built a team and not a club. Let's all have a love in and sort this out.
Away from that, I've been thinking about the Bondholder scheme. Needs to be half the price, or you need to get a lot more. Why will I pay £50 to part fund a bar I won't be allowed in, and that will take the players and officials even further away from the fans? If I'm going to part with £50 I want a permanent discount in the plebs bar, and a discount of 25% on the gate. And the programme? £2!!! Don't get me started. Whether or not its any good I don't know, because I won't buy one. That plus entry leaves no change from a tenner. Not good value.
But, a positive, and that the free entry to the Chipstead game on the 18th December - free that is if you buy three match programmes for the November games. Otherwise, its £2, which is a very good idea. Its being sponsored by the nice people at Plumbase. Should be applauded. What shouldn't be applauded is the free pint at the bar for Season Ticket holders. A great idea, if you know how to buy a season ticket... its not something I've ever seen advertised or know anything about. How much are they, where do you get one etc etc etc...
Right. That's officially my last moan until the next one. I've been trying to be positive, but we were never in it today, and if the Manager doesn't appreciate what a game against Sittingbourne means to the fans, then how will the players? I'm sure Matt Solly and Ryans Restell and Laker would have a feeling, but there you go. They don't get a game. Perhaps we could get fired up for the big derby game with whoever it is that are VCD's rivals... you never know, we might meet them in the KL next year if we don't sort this out.
Home to table topping Leatherface next week. Come on lads - get winning!
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Another defeat and 14th in the league.
First things first, I didn't go. I generally don't do many away games. Today we lost 2-0 at Godalming. To the unthinking eye, this seems a bad result, but Godalming are a much better side for the past two seasons than we'd previously met. But all the same its another defeat.
We're desperately short on firepower up front. Well, actually, we're not - we have plenty of forwards, but they just can't find the net. Brendon Cass is being touted in some quarters. I echo that. He's currently playing Kent League with Hythe Town. You suspect he's been brought in, and is being paid enough, to mount a serious promotion bid. On the face of it, his presence at Hythe is remarkable. He lives in Chatham, and drives there for games? Odd...
Elsewhere in the division, some sort of record probably at Horsham YMCA - beaten at home by table topping Leatherhead 11-0. Yes 11 (ELEVEN), as the old school BBC vidiprinter would say. Today Leatherhead scored more goals in one game than we've scored all season. Prior to this, they'd scored twice as many as us. That's title challenge material. We're not.
I have faith in Foley to turn this round. We have no other option! Today though he was again sent to the stands from the dugout. Now, in reality this makes little impact on a gaffer's ability to bellow instructions at this level, but its telling about the growing lack of discipline we're starting to see. I haven't seen an ill-discipline table, but I'd hazard a guess we're up there. The ifs, whys and why nots of the incident are not yet in the public domain, but if it is for some sort of dissent (which realistically is the most likely cause), PF should know that the standard of refereeing at this level is and always will be poor. The good ones quickly rise through the ranks, and there are now even more poor refs due to the lack of people willing to take control of games down to park football level. And the main reason for refs hanging up the whistle and little black book? Abuse.
We've got a tricky pointless cup tie at wounded Concord Rangers on Tuesday night (I say wounded because they were beaten by the aforemention Hythe Town in the FA Cup today), before a re-arranged league encounter against les formidables, Sittingbourne. We never beat Sittingbourne. Ever. Its time we did. And it would be timely for Paul Foley if he can pull that one off.
Away from TOSC, Hythe Town's cup victory today leaves them one game away from a possible money spinning FA Cup tie in the first round proper. I'd love to see Cassie net for them at a professional club, on ITV1, in a few weeks. And then come back to us...
We're desperately short on firepower up front. Well, actually, we're not - we have plenty of forwards, but they just can't find the net. Brendon Cass is being touted in some quarters. I echo that. He's currently playing Kent League with Hythe Town. You suspect he's been brought in, and is being paid enough, to mount a serious promotion bid. On the face of it, his presence at Hythe is remarkable. He lives in Chatham, and drives there for games? Odd...
Elsewhere in the division, some sort of record probably at Horsham YMCA - beaten at home by table topping Leatherhead 11-0. Yes 11 (ELEVEN), as the old school BBC vidiprinter would say. Today Leatherhead scored more goals in one game than we've scored all season. Prior to this, they'd scored twice as many as us. That's title challenge material. We're not.
I have faith in Foley to turn this round. We have no other option! Today though he was again sent to the stands from the dugout. Now, in reality this makes little impact on a gaffer's ability to bellow instructions at this level, but its telling about the growing lack of discipline we're starting to see. I haven't seen an ill-discipline table, but I'd hazard a guess we're up there. The ifs, whys and why nots of the incident are not yet in the public domain, but if it is for some sort of dissent (which realistically is the most likely cause), PF should know that the standard of refereeing at this level is and always will be poor. The good ones quickly rise through the ranks, and there are now even more poor refs due to the lack of people willing to take control of games down to park football level. And the main reason for refs hanging up the whistle and little black book? Abuse.
We've got a tricky pointless cup tie at wounded Concord Rangers on Tuesday night (I say wounded because they were beaten by the aforemention Hythe Town in the FA Cup today), before a re-arranged league encounter against les formidables, Sittingbourne. We never beat Sittingbourne. Ever. Its time we did. And it would be timely for Paul Foley if he can pull that one off.
Away from TOSC, Hythe Town's cup victory today leaves them one game away from a possible money spinning FA Cup tie in the first round proper. I'd love to see Cassie net for them at a professional club, on ITV1, in a few weeks. And then come back to us...
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Redbridge 2 -1 Motorway Bridge
Chatham Town visited Redbridge FC in the FA Trophy Preliminary Round and came away the worst in a frankly disappointing game. Redbridge, or as they're also called, the artist formerly known as Ford United (they were the former Ford plant's works team and are still nicknamed The Motormen)went into the game with only one previous win all season, that being in the FA Cup Preliminary Round against lower league opposition. The Motormen, who ply their trade in our sister league, the Ryman 1 North, currently sit at the foot of the league, with just one draw and three league goals to their credit. They sacked their manager in the week, appointed another one who quit after two days, and then appointed the first sacked manager's assistant as the new gaffer in time for our visit. Lets be honest, this had banana skin written all over it, and given that we're a little frail of foot at the moment and our guide dog appears to have gone missing, we were always going to slip up. And we did.
The first half was a dire mess played out by two sides who smacked of desperation. Redbridge limited Chatham to hopeful hoofs and headers which neither Joe Fuller or Iche Ubemere really had a sniff at. When Chatham did rarely create, they were limited to some long range efforts, and a hopeful penalty shout. Redbridge did not much more at the other end, although Tedder had to make the save of the half to keep out a long range strike that caught a deflection.
Chatham started the second period all the brighter, and you couldn't help but think that if a Hamstrung Nick Hegley hadn't gone off at half time, some of the pressure could have been turned into some magic. But with the winger absent, Chatham worked hard to get round the back (John Barnes style) and did so frequently but lacked a cutting cross or finish. The best chance fell to the lively Brad Potter, who looked a threat as he always does at corners, his bullet header hitting the bar. You started to sense it wasn't to be Chatham's day, and it was no real suprise when the home side opened the scoring with a quick counter that found James Tedder wanting for position, a seemingly innocuous cross eluding him and finding a Redbrige player at the far post for 1-0. Tedder had been let off earlier in the half, when a scuffed punch fell kindly for a Redbridge forward who couldn't and didn't finish from six yards.
Redbrige added a second, again on the break and it was just their second effort on target of the half. At this point, Chatham rallied, and pulled one back in stoppage time through Lee Maksell after a goal mouth scramble where it appeared that Joe Fuller's earlier shot had cleared the line. Cat calls from the home fans for the final whistle were met with an onslaught from Chatham who frustratingly played with more purpose than they had in the rest of the game. We should start 1-0 down. We might then win.
Its starting to appear that we a desperately short of both an out and out striker, and a plan b. With just three subs today, our only option when chasing the game was a like for like swap of Restell for Ibemere, and a continuation of attempts to pass our way through a packed defence on a difficult pitch. The effort was there, but the final product lacking. We're clearly missing Danny Penny (whom I've only seen play once), but he is a player who can poach, playmake and most importantly test the keeper from range. In a game like today's you need a big man who they're not going to settle at keeping outside the box. He's out injured for a long time, and then will have to get fit again. Lee Barnett is playing, for free as with all of the side, at Corinthians in the Kent League. He is exactly the player we need, and is, as far as I know, highly regarded by the fans. Bring him back. 16 goals in 20 games in his debut season speaks for itself. Come back Barney.
The first half was a dire mess played out by two sides who smacked of desperation. Redbridge limited Chatham to hopeful hoofs and headers which neither Joe Fuller or Iche Ubemere really had a sniff at. When Chatham did rarely create, they were limited to some long range efforts, and a hopeful penalty shout. Redbridge did not much more at the other end, although Tedder had to make the save of the half to keep out a long range strike that caught a deflection.
Chatham started the second period all the brighter, and you couldn't help but think that if a Hamstrung Nick Hegley hadn't gone off at half time, some of the pressure could have been turned into some magic. But with the winger absent, Chatham worked hard to get round the back (John Barnes style) and did so frequently but lacked a cutting cross or finish. The best chance fell to the lively Brad Potter, who looked a threat as he always does at corners, his bullet header hitting the bar. You started to sense it wasn't to be Chatham's day, and it was no real suprise when the home side opened the scoring with a quick counter that found James Tedder wanting for position, a seemingly innocuous cross eluding him and finding a Redbrige player at the far post for 1-0. Tedder had been let off earlier in the half, when a scuffed punch fell kindly for a Redbridge forward who couldn't and didn't finish from six yards.
Redbrige added a second, again on the break and it was just their second effort on target of the half. At this point, Chatham rallied, and pulled one back in stoppage time through Lee Maksell after a goal mouth scramble where it appeared that Joe Fuller's earlier shot had cleared the line. Cat calls from the home fans for the final whistle were met with an onslaught from Chatham who frustratingly played with more purpose than they had in the rest of the game. We should start 1-0 down. We might then win.
Its starting to appear that we a desperately short of both an out and out striker, and a plan b. With just three subs today, our only option when chasing the game was a like for like swap of Restell for Ibemere, and a continuation of attempts to pass our way through a packed defence on a difficult pitch. The effort was there, but the final product lacking. We're clearly missing Danny Penny (whom I've only seen play once), but he is a player who can poach, playmake and most importantly test the keeper from range. In a game like today's you need a big man who they're not going to settle at keeping outside the box. He's out injured for a long time, and then will have to get fit again. Lee Barnett is playing, for free as with all of the side, at Corinthians in the Kent League. He is exactly the player we need, and is, as far as I know, highly regarded by the fans. Bring him back. 16 goals in 20 games in his debut season speaks for itself. Come back Barney.
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