Oh dear. Where to begin. Chatham were the slightly better of the two bald men fighting over a comb in a sluggish first half, and were easily outplayed and bested to every ball in a second half where they conspired to steal an unlikely point against second placed Met Police only to throw it away deep into injury time.
Normally, to lose to such a sucker punch hurts, but in truth it was no less than the Met deserved, even if it hurts to say it.
Chatham lead at the interval courtesy of the best goal of the game, Jason Barton turning and placing a curling shot into the top corner past the outstretched trucker Mo Mann. The first half was quite poor, with the attention wandering for long periods, much like the way time passes on a transatlantic flight - you know you're somewhere, but the brain kind of switches off, and time ellipses into the human concept that it really is. Chatham misplaced many passes throughout the game, and in the first half many attacks broke down due to poor balls from midfield, most noticeably Gary Ward.
Ward must have rollicked himself at half time, because he was close to a man of the match performance in the second half, but sadly the rest of the side had lost its composure, Kane Rice, playing up front with Fuller, having to run on to far too many mishit long long passes. The art of looking up had clearly passed many of the Chatham side by. Also, the art of concentrating in defence and winning second balls also seemed to have gone astray. Usually, we're weakest after we score. Holding our lead into the second half, Chatham were confident of the final whistle's arrival bringing three points, but it wasn't to be. Met's three goals were all short distance efforts, all with some element of slapstick, aided by a stage of a muddy six yard box. The ultimate humour came from a Met shot beating a frankly shaky Adam Molloy, but not beating the mud, allowing the keeper to scramble back and claim the ball as it stuck, much in the way that a custard pie sticks to a clown's face.
Chatham rarely threatened, and substitute Billy Shinners, who moved up front after replacing Ibermere wandered offside on three separate occasions when it was probably the hardest thing to do. He did though pull out the shot of the game on 82 minutes, when Chatham, having been put 2-1 down, put together a small spell of pressure. Shinners unleashed a fearsome effort from 20 yards from the right of the box which tested Mann at full stretch in the Met PoPo goal. Mann's excellent save saw Rice swing in the resultant corner which Jason Barton bundled home for an unlikely, and tad unjust 2-2.
When a shocking 6 mins of stoppage time were announced by the referee (although by the book it probably reflected the ridiculous, and frankly embarrassing celebrations of the Met Police team, plus an injury to Adam Molloy sustained as Met Police went 2-1 up), you had that feeling that it would end badly. And it did. Met Police broke in the 94th minute, and in a moment that must have frustrated them, but those familiar with dramatic irony would have loved, the referee failed to play an advantage after a pointless foul. The Met's forward was accelerating towards the box, with the ball at his feet. Chatham were backing off. He needed to belt it so it didn't stick in the thwarting mud. He didn't. He didn't, because the ref blew up for an earlier foul. Chatham let off perhaps. Not for a moment. The freekick whipped in, Chatham again failed to clear their lines and a Met foot was first to it. They made no mistakes and were clinical in finishing the game off.
Some Chatham fan's may feel hard done by. I did at 4.55pm I don't now. A point would have been unjust. Mo Mann made just one save in the second half, and was hampered for the equaliser. We lacked the quality that we had in the second half last week. We lack consistency badly. It's frustrating. Hegley injured. Tedder injured. Firth absent. Others missing (Ryan Restell, where are you?)
Frustratingly, Chatham's was just one of three games that went ahead on an unexpectedly wet day. We're now five points off the drop, having played substantially more games than those beneath us. We've taken 1 point from the last 15 available. But we won't go down, because Sittingbourne might go bust. Or if they don't, all the teams coming down from the Ryman Premier are naturals for the Ryman South. And the Ryman 1 North is already a team short thanks to Ilford's withdrawal. So perhaps next season we can have this side play in the league that it belongs in. That is, this team of VCD, who are used to playing in the R1N, used to travelling the M25, perhaps we can perform at that level. It beats the Kent League. Relegation would be a disaster for our plans on and off the pitch.
As an aside, Phil Miles, Steve Best, Jim Lyons and Matt Solly were all at the game today. Lyons and Solly could have gone on to be like Bestie, a 500 game player, through thick and thin. I stand by the statement that it is a travesty that Matt Solly left this club because he couldn't get a start. He's Kent League with Erith and Belvedere now. With Jim Lyons. And our goalkeeping pairing of last season Ruddy and Stroud (which sounds likes a vaudeville act). What a waste of talent, no disrespect intended. And what a waste of the efforts made to develop him as a player from the age of 14. What sort of message is it to send out to our youth set up? Only Ryan Laker is a beacon to that. He had a very good game today, as he did last week, particularly given his inexperience.
But, let's be positive. Fleet Town next week, then Worthing at home. We need 4 points from them two games. We can do that, if we do the basics. Which we can do. So let's do it!
Come on you Chats!
Saturday 26 February 2011
Tuesday 22 February 2011
Burgess Hill 1 - 1 Blue Brazil (well, sort of)
Chatham came away from Leyland's Park on Saturday with the feeling that it was two points dropped as much as it was one vital point gained after a superb performance on a very sticky pitch. Hours of rain in the south of the country put the game in serious doubt, yet Burgess Hill's Leyland's Park ground stood up to the rain well, meaning the game went ahead.
Chatham started slowly, Burgess Hill dominating early proceedings, and it was no surprise that the goal came when it did, after some thirty minutes, that usual problem of a lack of concentration at the back rearing its ugly, wearisomely repetitive head once more, to leave stand in keeper Adam Molloy to pick the ball out of his net and scream a few choice words at his defence.
Chatham did threaten sporadically throughout the half, Joe Fuller's belter beating everyone including the keeper from 30 yards, only to whistle over the bar, but too often the final ball was lacking, or Chatham wandered offside.
Paul Foley must have finally found the words to rally the team at the half time interval, as Chatham came out and dominated the second half, playing a tidy pass and move game all over the pitch, which was particularly impressive given how heavy the pitch was in places. Chatham won a free kick in the 70th minute which was cleared for a corner. From this, good movement in the box allowed Joe Fuller to rifle home from 10 yards, and Chatham were level. Soon after, the lively, tricksy, yet ultimately unthreatening Francis Tshikaya made a substitute appearance and could have won it when he connected to a cross into the six yard box, but found that both his stick thin legs and the ball soon became stuck in the developing quagmire that was the six yard box.
Chatham fought for every ball, and were first to the second ball each time in the second half, which should give Paul Foley a selection headache when he has a full compliment to pick from. Uche Ibermere, Billy Shinners, Anthony Hogg and James Tedder all missed the game through injury, after Fuller and Firth paired up well at the front, with Jason Dolby having an assured performance in the middle of the park in the role that Fuller would normally take if Shinners started. Can't be easy being Foley.
The only disappointing part of the game was the amount of backchat directed at the officials by Chatham's frontline - there's really no need for it, and some of the language would have vindicated a straight red. I appreciate that the heat of the moment can kick in, but the lino in question actually had a good game. He was right on most of the calls, regardless of which, the chances are that even if he was wrong, swearing in his face isn't going to make a difference. And come to think of it, if you play at R1S, the chances are that the refs are going to be as distant in quality to Howard Webb as you are to Neil Webb. As he is now. That's possibly a bit harsh, but the fact remains that if we keep allowing officials to be subjected to abuse from players, then we'll see less and less of the good ones sticking at it. Leave them alone and let the football do the talking.
Moan aside, its good to see that Aaron Firth and Paul Foley's beard growing efforts for Max Walsh's appeal have now raised over three grand. What a great thing for the two of them, and the club to do, big hand clap needed for them on Saturday, when the presentation will take place.
Saturday sees the visit of Met Police to TOSC. Should be an encounter - they're not as good as they were when we were the first side to take a point off them in October, and we've shown how well we can play when we faced play off contenders Burgess Hill on Saturday. Let's hope for some consistency and three points - its time to go on an end of season run and finish like we did two years ago, twelve unbeaten.
Chatham: Molloy, Laker, Rice, Barton, John Hogg, Dolby, Potter, Ward, Hegley, Fuller, Firth - Subs Watson, Wilkins, Azzopardi, Hunt, Tshikaya (on for Hegley 62)
Chatham started slowly, Burgess Hill dominating early proceedings, and it was no surprise that the goal came when it did, after some thirty minutes, that usual problem of a lack of concentration at the back rearing its ugly, wearisomely repetitive head once more, to leave stand in keeper Adam Molloy to pick the ball out of his net and scream a few choice words at his defence.
Chatham did threaten sporadically throughout the half, Joe Fuller's belter beating everyone including the keeper from 30 yards, only to whistle over the bar, but too often the final ball was lacking, or Chatham wandered offside.
Paul Foley must have finally found the words to rally the team at the half time interval, as Chatham came out and dominated the second half, playing a tidy pass and move game all over the pitch, which was particularly impressive given how heavy the pitch was in places. Chatham won a free kick in the 70th minute which was cleared for a corner. From this, good movement in the box allowed Joe Fuller to rifle home from 10 yards, and Chatham were level. Soon after, the lively, tricksy, yet ultimately unthreatening Francis Tshikaya made a substitute appearance and could have won it when he connected to a cross into the six yard box, but found that both his stick thin legs and the ball soon became stuck in the developing quagmire that was the six yard box.
Chatham fought for every ball, and were first to the second ball each time in the second half, which should give Paul Foley a selection headache when he has a full compliment to pick from. Uche Ibermere, Billy Shinners, Anthony Hogg and James Tedder all missed the game through injury, after Fuller and Firth paired up well at the front, with Jason Dolby having an assured performance in the middle of the park in the role that Fuller would normally take if Shinners started. Can't be easy being Foley.
The only disappointing part of the game was the amount of backchat directed at the officials by Chatham's frontline - there's really no need for it, and some of the language would have vindicated a straight red. I appreciate that the heat of the moment can kick in, but the lino in question actually had a good game. He was right on most of the calls, regardless of which, the chances are that even if he was wrong, swearing in his face isn't going to make a difference. And come to think of it, if you play at R1S, the chances are that the refs are going to be as distant in quality to Howard Webb as you are to Neil Webb. As he is now. That's possibly a bit harsh, but the fact remains that if we keep allowing officials to be subjected to abuse from players, then we'll see less and less of the good ones sticking at it. Leave them alone and let the football do the talking.
Moan aside, its good to see that Aaron Firth and Paul Foley's beard growing efforts for Max Walsh's appeal have now raised over three grand. What a great thing for the two of them, and the club to do, big hand clap needed for them on Saturday, when the presentation will take place.
Saturday sees the visit of Met Police to TOSC. Should be an encounter - they're not as good as they were when we were the first side to take a point off them in October, and we've shown how well we can play when we faced play off contenders Burgess Hill on Saturday. Let's hope for some consistency and three points - its time to go on an end of season run and finish like we did two years ago, twelve unbeaten.
Chatham: Molloy, Laker, Rice, Barton, John Hogg, Dolby, Potter, Ward, Hegley, Fuller, Firth - Subs Watson, Wilkins, Azzopardi, Hunt, Tshikaya (on for Hegley 62)
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Leatherface 2 - 0 Scarface
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.
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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