Chatham went in to this visit to high flying Leatherhead full of confidence, with something approaching form beginning to occur over recent weeks. Sadly, the good results had all come at home, the 3-1 win over Eastbourne only overshadowed by the launch of Sky Atlantic. Away trips have been a bane for Chatham this term, having won just twice on the road in 14 outings. Leatherhead, by some strange twist of logic, are actually better away than at home, but had scored 61 times in the league going in to this one. That is finished just 2-0 was testament mainly to a superb performance James Tedder in the Chatham goal, who made three top quality reaction saves in the space of two second half minutes.
The game will though be remembered by Chats fans as the game that scarred Anthony Hogg's face. In the 40th minute, Hogg, who'd had a very good game dominating the midfield, went for a header and was met by a high foot from Mark Simmons. Hogg lay on the pitch receiving treatment for some seven minutes before leaving to wait for an ambulance. He ended up with twenty stitches to his face. The full damage can be seen on the official site. Let's hope he's back in the red and black soon.
After the horror, it was soon half time. Chatham were already a goal down when the league's top scorer Greg Andrews rifled a low shot from the edge of the box just moment's before Hogg's injury.
Chatham's young side (which was missing Kane Rice, Brad Potter, Nick Hegley, Craig Wilkins and Kevin Watston) understandably just ceased to really appear up for it in the second half. If it wasn't for the acrobatics and close range shot stopping of James Tedder, it could easily have finished five or six nil. Fortunately, Tedder was having a good game. Chatham never looked like scoring, Billy Shinners coming closest midway through the second half when some rare calamitous defending gave him space to get a turn and shot in from 14 yards - he hit his weak shot straight at keeper Chico Ramos.
Leatherhead for all their hard work had to wait until the 81st minute for their second, Jack MaCleod running onto an excellent long ball and doing well to place his shot past the advancing Tedder.
Chatham could come away with some credit from this - yes, they were poor, but their hotchpotch mix of youth and inexperience did well enough, particularly given that the injury to skipper Hogg left an uncomfortable taste in the mouth.
Next up, Worthing away (tonight, Tuesday 8th Feb). Of course, far too far for anyone to go to midweek. I won't be there. Hopefully the jinx will shine through and Chatham will come away with a rare away win.
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