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.
Showing posts with label Chatham Town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chatham Town. Show all posts
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Worthing 2 - 0 Chatham
Again, an away match, and I didn't go. No report on the official site yet (actually, no reports for our last two games on the official site yet - apparently all roads end at Horsham YMCA), and no report yet on the Worthing site, but we were beaten two goals to nil where the road meets the sea, and now find ourselves back in the familiar mid table mediocrity to which we have been accustomed over the years, in thirteenth place on seven points.
The new Ryman Leage website will feature a team list at some point, and it will be interesting to see. The Worthing forum, whilst not critical of us, seems confused by our lack of firepower. Perhaps a bad day at the office for the lads, but the suggestion that we did not force one save from Worthing's keeper sounds worrying. We did apparently make a good fist of making a match of it for the first twenty minutes, but then switched off, making a boring encounter for all.
Their goals were - according to the wonders of second hand knowledge, in turn, a screamer, and a howler, where our defence ball watched until such point it crossed the line. Such imagery makes me think of Matchday 2 on the Spectrum or C64 back in the day - I can see various Chats players running in the wrong direction and doing that strange thing the sprites did on said computer game when confronted with another sprite - to just keep moving backward and forward. Anyway, that's by the by really. We were beaten, and apparently didn't turn up. It'll be interesting to see Don Logan's opinion if that is indeed the case, because he has previously stated in programme notes that he doesn't do players that only turn up for the big games. Money and mouth time perhaps, particularly given next weeks big stakes FA Cup 1st Qualifying round tie with Walton Hop Casuals. A win could potentially set us up with a lucrative tie against Conference South opposition, but we have a strange record against Walton Casuals over recent seasons, having taken it in turns to hand out 4-0 drubbings to each other on both of their last two visits to the Theatre of Slapstick Comedy. I can't help but think given the hard work we made of lower league opponents Eastbourne United over two matches in the last week, that we (1) need a rest, and a week until the next game is a good thing and (2) we need to pick things up a gear. Has the victory over Croydon got to our heads? Are all the pre-season expectations and hype (which I have happily gone along with myself, rather guiltily) done for us? Let us not forget, if it were not for two injury time winners, we would now be 19th in the league...
Come on Chatham - stop pratting about at the back of the class. You may be a gifted child, but the silliness is doing you no favours. Start working please.
The new Ryman Leage website will feature a team list at some point, and it will be interesting to see. The Worthing forum, whilst not critical of us, seems confused by our lack of firepower. Perhaps a bad day at the office for the lads, but the suggestion that we did not force one save from Worthing's keeper sounds worrying. We did apparently make a good fist of making a match of it for the first twenty minutes, but then switched off, making a boring encounter for all.
Their goals were - according to the wonders of second hand knowledge, in turn, a screamer, and a howler, where our defence ball watched until such point it crossed the line. Such imagery makes me think of Matchday 2 on the Spectrum or C64 back in the day - I can see various Chats players running in the wrong direction and doing that strange thing the sprites did on said computer game when confronted with another sprite - to just keep moving backward and forward. Anyway, that's by the by really. We were beaten, and apparently didn't turn up. It'll be interesting to see Don Logan's opinion if that is indeed the case, because he has previously stated in programme notes that he doesn't do players that only turn up for the big games. Money and mouth time perhaps, particularly given next weeks big stakes FA Cup 1st Qualifying round tie with Walton Hop Casuals. A win could potentially set us up with a lucrative tie against Conference South opposition, but we have a strange record against Walton Casuals over recent seasons, having taken it in turns to hand out 4-0 drubbings to each other on both of their last two visits to the Theatre of Slapstick Comedy. I can't help but think given the hard work we made of lower league opponents Eastbourne United over two matches in the last week, that we (1) need a rest, and a week until the next game is a good thing and (2) we need to pick things up a gear. Has the victory over Croydon got to our heads? Are all the pre-season expectations and hype (which I have happily gone along with myself, rather guiltily) done for us? Let us not forget, if it were not for two injury time winners, we would now be 19th in the league...
Come on Chatham - stop pratting about at the back of the class. You may be a gifted child, but the silliness is doing you no favours. Start working please.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
AMAT (1) 1 - (1) 1 YMCA
Or, what we mean to say is Chatham Town FC 1-1 Horsham YMCA.
Chatham last met YM as they're known by their fans in the last home game of the 2007-2008 season, and ran out 3-2 winners. YM have since lost the entire first and second strings that took part in that campaign, and re-emerged into the Ryman 1 South at the invitation of the league for this season having finished third in the Sussex County last term. They've come along a long way, and controlled the match today for much of the first half, taking advantage of apparent disarray at the back for Chatham, and took a deserved lead when Chatham's argumentative defence dropped a gear looking for a handball decision that never came, to see Richard Stroud well out of position and beaten with a well placed shot hit from the outside of the box. It was a little unfair on Stroud, who had been a seeming voice of reason at the back of a shaky back four, Brad Potter looking somewhat uncomfortable at right back, and captain Avery unable to gather control. Stoud had earlier kept the scores level when perhaps we should have been behind after he somehow got a hand to a fierce shot, against his momentum when scrambling back crablike across his line, so he was justifiably disappointed at the manner of the goal that gave YM their deserved lead.
Those of the Chatham faithful who were at the last meeting of these two sides, will remember it particularly for that rarity in football, a goal from the halfway line. On that occasion, Steve Hafner took a cheeky free kick, and spotted then YM keeper Craig Meehan off his line to send the fans into raptures. Well, Hafner scored his first competitive goal for Chatham since that game again today, in similar style on 40 minutes - spotting Horsham's keeper off his line, he shot this time from further out, hitting the ball first time after it was rolled back to him, the ball sailing over the hapless keeper to the jubilation of the home support.
He then skied a much easier volley on the stoke of half time, the matchball being lost in the trees at the White Road end, well beyond the reach of the bravest fireman.
Half time came, and the noise from the home dressing room was something to behold. Whilst subs Barnett, Dodsworth and Powell took potshots at Dan Ellis in goal, even they could hear from the penalty area the wrath of Alex O'Brien fall down upon his team. AOB has passion - no doubt about it, and his half time pep talk reminded me of the scene in Sexy Beast where Ben Kingsley's Don Logan character snaps - you know, "Do it, YES YES YES YES C**T". The result of this - a little bit more fight in a second half that saw the immediate introduction of Tom Davey for the injured Mark Green (yet to impress on the left wing, but lets give him a chance), and Lee Barnett on for Richard Avery, who didn't look like he was carrying any knocks other than one to his confidence - perhaps AOB's rant was aimed in one particular direction...
Regardless of the what's and why fors, the defence still looked fragile at times. Jim Lyons, slipped in to the back to partner Ben Payne, with Lee Barnett playing a supporting role to Ascheri and Cass. The midfield started to flow a bit more at this point, but there's part of me that thinks this was more due to the fact that Solly then had more room. He and Lyons are two similar players, and they stifle each other to some extent.
Chatham did look more dangerous in the second half, Cass and Barnett combining well, with Tom Davey an effective threat down the left when Ascheri allowed him space to work the ball. In truth, Justin had a poor game today, his touch apparently left in the dressing room before hand, but his passion shone through - the lad just does not stop chasing every ball, something that both he and Cass do well and is refreshing to see.
I hope that Barnett's place on the bench is fitness related rather than tactical. He was our most potent threat going forward, but had to wait for the ball too many times - it was as if sometimes he couldn't buy a pass.
A lot of positives though - the second half performance just about justified a point,with improved passing and invention. But let's pick this up for Croydon Athletic away.
Chatham: Stroud, Probets, Avery (HT - Barnett), Payne, Potter, Solly, Lyons, Hafner (Dodsworth 70), Green (HT - Davey), Ascheri, Cass.
Unused subs: Powell, Ellis.
Highlights: Hafner's magic trick. Again.
Lowlights: Bickering in the back four, lack of confidence. Why did they all look so nervous for the first half?
The ref: - Did an alright job. Fairly innocuous.
MOTM: Brendon Cass. Missed a sitter with his head, but worked well creating movement at the front as part of the triangle with Barnett and Ascheri. Was let down in service a few times, as was Lee Barnett. If that triangle can get going, it'll bag fifty goals this season.
In conclusion: A fair result, but we need to start playing with a winners' attitude. Where's the confidence guys?
Pointless fact: The matchday programme is down to the sensible price of £1.50 again (went up to random £1.60 last season), and was actually not a bad read. I'd like an audiobook version for AOB's programme notes though... Ben Kingsley could have a serious threat on his hands.
Next up: At home, 29th August - Sussex County League Eastbourne United Association in the FA Cup Preliminary round. We're only 12 games from Wembley, or 10 from equaling our club record quarter final performance back in the days of Victoriana and pea-soupers on the lines...
Away: This tuesday, to league leaders Croydon Athletic. The big spenders were held today by underachieving Met Police 0-0; I am sure that AOB's Kingsley impersonation will do the trick at the Keith Tuckey stadion.
Chatham last met YM as they're known by their fans in the last home game of the 2007-2008 season, and ran out 3-2 winners. YM have since lost the entire first and second strings that took part in that campaign, and re-emerged into the Ryman 1 South at the invitation of the league for this season having finished third in the Sussex County last term. They've come along a long way, and controlled the match today for much of the first half, taking advantage of apparent disarray at the back for Chatham, and took a deserved lead when Chatham's argumentative defence dropped a gear looking for a handball decision that never came, to see Richard Stroud well out of position and beaten with a well placed shot hit from the outside of the box. It was a little unfair on Stroud, who had been a seeming voice of reason at the back of a shaky back four, Brad Potter looking somewhat uncomfortable at right back, and captain Avery unable to gather control. Stoud had earlier kept the scores level when perhaps we should have been behind after he somehow got a hand to a fierce shot, against his momentum when scrambling back crablike across his line, so he was justifiably disappointed at the manner of the goal that gave YM their deserved lead.
Those of the Chatham faithful who were at the last meeting of these two sides, will remember it particularly for that rarity in football, a goal from the halfway line. On that occasion, Steve Hafner took a cheeky free kick, and spotted then YM keeper Craig Meehan off his line to send the fans into raptures. Well, Hafner scored his first competitive goal for Chatham since that game again today, in similar style on 40 minutes - spotting Horsham's keeper off his line, he shot this time from further out, hitting the ball first time after it was rolled back to him, the ball sailing over the hapless keeper to the jubilation of the home support.
He then skied a much easier volley on the stoke of half time, the matchball being lost in the trees at the White Road end, well beyond the reach of the bravest fireman.
Half time came, and the noise from the home dressing room was something to behold. Whilst subs Barnett, Dodsworth and Powell took potshots at Dan Ellis in goal, even they could hear from the penalty area the wrath of Alex O'Brien fall down upon his team. AOB has passion - no doubt about it, and his half time pep talk reminded me of the scene in Sexy Beast where Ben Kingsley's Don Logan character snaps - you know, "Do it, YES YES YES YES C**T
Regardless of the what's and why fors, the defence still looked fragile at times. Jim Lyons, slipped in to the back to partner Ben Payne, with Lee Barnett playing a supporting role to Ascheri and Cass. The midfield started to flow a bit more at this point, but there's part of me that thinks this was more due to the fact that Solly then had more room. He and Lyons are two similar players, and they stifle each other to some extent.
Chatham did look more dangerous in the second half, Cass and Barnett combining well, with Tom Davey an effective threat down the left when Ascheri allowed him space to work the ball. In truth, Justin had a poor game today, his touch apparently left in the dressing room before hand, but his passion shone through - the lad just does not stop chasing every ball, something that both he and Cass do well and is refreshing to see.
I hope that Barnett's place on the bench is fitness related rather than tactical. He was our most potent threat going forward, but had to wait for the ball too many times - it was as if sometimes he couldn't buy a pass.
A lot of positives though - the second half performance just about justified a point,with improved passing and invention. But let's pick this up for Croydon Athletic away.
Chatham: Stroud, Probets, Avery (HT - Barnett), Payne, Potter, Solly, Lyons, Hafner (Dodsworth 70), Green (HT - Davey), Ascheri, Cass.
Unused subs: Powell, Ellis.
Highlights: Hafner's magic trick. Again.
Lowlights: Bickering in the back four, lack of confidence. Why did they all look so nervous for the first half?
The ref: - Did an alright job. Fairly innocuous.
MOTM: Brendon Cass. Missed a sitter with his head, but worked well creating movement at the front as part of the triangle with Barnett and Ascheri. Was let down in service a few times, as was Lee Barnett. If that triangle can get going, it'll bag fifty goals this season.
In conclusion: A fair result, but we need to start playing with a winners' attitude. Where's the confidence guys?
Pointless fact: The matchday programme is down to the sensible price of £1.50 again (went up to random £1.60 last season), and was actually not a bad read. I'd like an audiobook version for AOB's programme notes though... Ben Kingsley could have a serious threat on his hands.
Next up: At home, 29th August - Sussex County League Eastbourne United Association in the FA Cup Preliminary round. We're only 12 games from Wembley, or 10 from equaling our club record quarter final performance back in the days of Victoriana and pea-soupers on the lines...
Away: This tuesday, to league leaders Croydon Athletic. The big spenders were held today by underachieving Met Police 0-0; I am sure that AOB's Kingsley impersonation will do the trick at the Keith Tuckey stadion.
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Money will out.
Croydon Athletic sit top of the Ryman Leauge Division One South after two games, with a 100% record, 12 goals scored and two clean sheets. The Thornton Heath based side have seen a recent turn around in fortunes, that is shrouded by mystery and rumour. Those rumours though (have a look at the kent league forums to see what's being said about them and Holmesdale FC), are probably based on a jealousy of the apparent wealth of new investor Mazhar Majeed, a property developer with a passion for the game. Whatever the truth is, its easy to believe the talk of large amounts of money changing hands up there, and worryingly, the league is beginning to look very much like a one horse race already.
The changes at the Keith Tuckey stadium appear to have come to fruit around the turn of the year. Since Christmas, the Rams have lost just twice in the league. They have an impressive squad http://croydonathletic.net/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=284&Itemid=107
and a management duo with plenty of experience higher up the pyramid in the form of former Grays manager Tim O'Shea and his assistant Neil Smith. Its hard to believe they come cheap, and some of the players are certainly not in the £40 a game category.
Given that their attendance seem to average at the 150 mark, I worry for Croydon Athletic. There's no sour grapes in that at all either - I'd worry if we were seemingly overstretching ourselves by that amount. We're clubs of a similar size and stature, both of whom have much larger neighbours up the road (Gillingham in our case, Palace in their's), impacting on the ability to increase crowds and profile. We've seen too many clubs boom and bust over recent years, Fisher, Hornchurch, Telford, Canvey Island. Do we need another one? With commercial property developers undeniably at risk during the economic slowdown, how safe are they?
I hope it all works out well for Croydon. I've visited them twice with Chatham, and we recieved a friendly enough welcome. They're a tidy club much like ours, providing those who don't neccessarily want, or can't afford to enjoy, professional football with the fix that comes from such community based clubs.
More "pitchside", I'm dreading the away fixture next week. Something makes me think they're going to make us look very ordinary. Last time we went there, we were beaten 6-2; a similar scoreline this early in the season would not do wonders for our confidence...
The changes at the Keith Tuckey stadium appear to have come to fruit around the turn of the year. Since Christmas, the Rams have lost just twice in the league. They have an impressive squad http://croydonathletic.net/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=284&Itemid=107
and a management duo with plenty of experience higher up the pyramid in the form of former Grays manager Tim O'Shea and his assistant Neil Smith. Its hard to believe they come cheap, and some of the players are certainly not in the £40 a game category.
Given that their attendance seem to average at the 150 mark, I worry for Croydon Athletic. There's no sour grapes in that at all either - I'd worry if we were seemingly overstretching ourselves by that amount. We're clubs of a similar size and stature, both of whom have much larger neighbours up the road (Gillingham in our case, Palace in their's), impacting on the ability to increase crowds and profile. We've seen too many clubs boom and bust over recent years, Fisher, Hornchurch, Telford, Canvey Island. Do we need another one? With commercial property developers undeniably at risk during the economic slowdown, how safe are they?
I hope it all works out well for Croydon. I've visited them twice with Chatham, and we recieved a friendly enough welcome. They're a tidy club much like ours, providing those who don't neccessarily want, or can't afford to enjoy, professional football with the fix that comes from such community based clubs.
More "pitchside", I'm dreading the away fixture next week. Something makes me think they're going to make us look very ordinary. Last time we went there, we were beaten 6-2; a similar scoreline this early in the season would not do wonders for our confidence...
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Godalming Town 3- 0 Chatham Town
Oh dear, oh dear... The new season appears to have got off to a bad start yesterday. I wasn't able to attend (in fact, I won't be going to most away games this season), and there's no match report on either the official site, the forum or the Godalming site or forum, so I can only imagine that we had our keeper sent off and put someone else in goal...
Joking aside, in fairness Godalming are a much improved side from the one which we relegated a few years ago (when Shane Ill Disciplino Suter laughed at a bloke with a broken leg and told him to get up and stop faking it!), but the very scoreline 3-0 strikes dread and anti climax into the heart. AOB is quoted with the Holloway line "bouncebackability" on http://wwwkentishfootball.co.uk// We'll need it for the visit of Burgess Hill on Tuesday night for our opening home fixture of the season, but I'm sure AOB can get it out of the team. He talks of getting into people's eyelids(!) and I think he means it.
Hopefully, yesterday was a blip - and my prediction that we had not tested our defence enough in pre-season is wrong. That said, Godalming finished ninth last year, but bagged 71 goals in the process - more than anyone else outside the play off spots. I'm also worrying that the Chats starting pre-season two weeks later than everyone else for the second season in a row isn't part of the problem. We do look more settled this year (last year Binks didn't pick the same starting eleven two games in a row for months), but maybe our fitness is an issue?
Anyway, roll on two games at the Theatre of Slapstick Comedy in a row, Burgess Hill as mentioned, and then Horsham YMCA next Saturday 22nd. For those of you with sharp memories, you'll recall that YMCA were on the receiving end of Steve Hafner's halfway line effort in our last home game in the R1S - YMCA were relegated that year, but have bounced straight back, having by the miracles of the football pyramid been promoted last year despite not coming either first or second in the Sussex County League. They finished third...
Joking aside, in fairness Godalming are a much improved side from the one which we relegated a few years ago (when Shane Ill Disciplino Suter laughed at a bloke with a broken leg and told him to get up and stop faking it!), but the very scoreline 3-0 strikes dread and anti climax into the heart. AOB is quoted with the Holloway line "bouncebackability" on http://wwwkentishfootball.co.uk// We'll need it for the visit of Burgess Hill on Tuesday night for our opening home fixture of the season, but I'm sure AOB can get it out of the team. He talks of getting into people's eyelids(!) and I think he means it.
Hopefully, yesterday was a blip - and my prediction that we had not tested our defence enough in pre-season is wrong. That said, Godalming finished ninth last year, but bagged 71 goals in the process - more than anyone else outside the play off spots. I'm also worrying that the Chats starting pre-season two weeks later than everyone else for the second season in a row isn't part of the problem. We do look more settled this year (last year Binks didn't pick the same starting eleven two games in a row for months), but maybe our fitness is an issue?
Anyway, roll on two games at the Theatre of Slapstick Comedy in a row, Burgess Hill as mentioned, and then Horsham YMCA next Saturday 22nd. For those of you with sharp memories, you'll recall that YMCA were on the receiving end of Steve Hafner's halfway line effort in our last home game in the R1S - YMCA were relegated that year, but have bounced straight back, having by the miracles of the football pyramid been promoted last year despite not coming either first or second in the Sussex County League. They finished third...
Monday, 10 August 2009
Yet another coup for AOB.
Not so much a blog, or even a piece of news, but to reconfirm the positive steps being taken at the club, I've only just realised that Richard Stroud, who has played in goal for us recently, was a trainee at Premiership Tottenham Hotspur. Don't believe me?
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/academy/news/academyreport020407.html
I think its fantastic that we're starting to attract players of such a calibre to the Sports Ground. Welcome, Richard. We could possibly be in a position where we have an embarrassment of riches this season. Time will tell.
PS - as an aside, I've mentioned Tottenham Hotspur in two of my posts. Let's hope it doesn't happen again...
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/academy/news/academyreport020407.html
I think its fantastic that we're starting to attract players of such a calibre to the Sports Ground. Welcome, Richard. We could possibly be in a position where we have an embarrassment of riches this season. Time will tell.
PS - as an aside, I've mentioned Tottenham Hotspur in two of my posts. Let's hope it doesn't happen again...
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Stuckism (0) 1 - (0) 0 - Conceptualism
Medway's only member of the literati thus far, the singer songwriter, poet, author and artist Billy Childish, once published an anthology of his poetry entitled "Chatham Town Welcomes Desperate Men." Well, possibly heeding that message, on a balmy Saturday afternoon at the Theatre of Slapstick, Chatham Town welcomed Terry Yorath and Neville Southall OBEs Margate FC for the final pre-season friendly of the campaign.
It was in truth a pretty tepid affair, much in part one would imagine due to players not wishing to pick up silly injuries or suspensions ahead of the new campaign. Some people had other ideas though, Steve Hafner for example, would have expected a straight red rather than an enforced substitution in a competitive fixture after a particularly reckless challenge that caused some uproar amongst Margate's small yet vocal travelling support.
The game had few chances and saw AOB make a few changes from the team that so comprehensively defeated Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday night, Michael Scott taking the place of Tommy Binks at right back, Brad Potter filling in for the absent Richard Avery, with Jim Lyons starting in the resultant midfield spot. Mark Green was tipped ahead of Tom Davey on left of the midfield, and Richard Stroud held on to the number one shirt after his second half appearance on Tuesday.
The game was something of a slow affair, with the apparent terrace apathy transferring itself to the pitch. Justin Ascheri terriered as a terrier does, and Matt Solly appeared solid at the centre of the park as always, and despite their pyramid seniority, Ryman Premier Margate looked perhaps the most threatening but without any real fire power to trouble what at times looked a slightly shaky paring of Potter and Payne at the back. Chatham's best chance fell to an unmarked Ascheri who's point blank shot was turned over well by Margate's massive keeper, and the Gate's best chance came when an umkarked Joe Healey headed wide when unmarked, his miss leaving him to berate himself with a word we will only refer to as the Clarkson/Brown word (or c-bomb for our American friends). The fact that this is even reportable says it all about what was a poor first half, and it was not a surprise to hear similarly course language coming from the home dressing room at half time.
AOB sent out the same eleven that finished the first half for the second period, and it was much business as before to be honest, until the introduction midway through the half of Ray "Razor" Powell for the tired Ascheri. The diminutive defender cum striker paired up well with Brendon Cass, who had again looked sharp but perhaps not best serviced by those around him earlier in the game, and the match picked up some appetite. Having earlier dismissed a strong penalty shout when Cass was felled in the area, the referee had no hesitation on seventy minutes in pointing to the spot for a similar challenge, and Brendon Cass showed his class to send the keeper the wrong way and bury it in the bottom corner.
Chatham pushed for a second, and Powell, who brought much needed aggression to the game was instrumental in a move that saw Jim Lyons this time sky the ball from six yards whilst unmarked, a typical second half highlight of a game that for most parts had flatlined on the excitement ECG.
Chatham kick off in the league next week away to Godalming Town, a side much improved since they were relegated at the TOSC a couple of years ago, and will need to hope that the Chatham defence is a solid at the books would suggest. We've conceded just twice in the six pre season games, and have scored 16. Without wishing to sound negative, there's part of me that doubts we've yet come across a decent front line, but if we can get Lee Barnett fit for the campaign, who knows, maybe we've got a Real Madrid season coming up. Time to see if its another season for Desperate Men.
Chatham line up; Stroud, Probets, Scott, Payne, Potter, Lyons, Solly, Green, Hafner, Cass, Ascheri (subs who got some action were Binks, Davey and Powell)
Highlights: Probably the guts and all performance for half an hour by Ray Powell. Wasn't overly excited by what I saw of him in defence the other night, but as a forward he is energetic, enthusiastic and committed to say the least. Doesn't look like a forward which must shock defences. Will get sent off at least four times this season.
Lowlights: None really, other than one of their players leaving in an ambulance after a freak fall. Hope he's ok.
In conclusion: Let's get on with the competitive games please. This was dullard.
Pointless fact: Sixteen years ago this month, Gate manager Terry Yorath lead Wales to their highest ever Fifa ranking (27th).
MOTM: Michael Scott. Had a great game. Which is a shame for Tommy Binks, as Binks had probably his best season at Chatham yet last term, but will do well to start at right back if Scott keeps showing this amount of natural talent and versatility - converted to attack very well after Green's injury.
It was in truth a pretty tepid affair, much in part one would imagine due to players not wishing to pick up silly injuries or suspensions ahead of the new campaign. Some people had other ideas though, Steve Hafner for example, would have expected a straight red rather than an enforced substitution in a competitive fixture after a particularly reckless challenge that caused some uproar amongst Margate's small yet vocal travelling support.
The game had few chances and saw AOB make a few changes from the team that so comprehensively defeated Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday night, Michael Scott taking the place of Tommy Binks at right back, Brad Potter filling in for the absent Richard Avery, with Jim Lyons starting in the resultant midfield spot. Mark Green was tipped ahead of Tom Davey on left of the midfield, and Richard Stroud held on to the number one shirt after his second half appearance on Tuesday.
The game was something of a slow affair, with the apparent terrace apathy transferring itself to the pitch. Justin Ascheri terriered as a terrier does, and Matt Solly appeared solid at the centre of the park as always, and despite their pyramid seniority, Ryman Premier Margate looked perhaps the most threatening but without any real fire power to trouble what at times looked a slightly shaky paring of Potter and Payne at the back. Chatham's best chance fell to an unmarked Ascheri who's point blank shot was turned over well by Margate's massive keeper, and the Gate's best chance came when an umkarked Joe Healey headed wide when unmarked, his miss leaving him to berate himself with a word we will only refer to as the Clarkson/Brown word (or c-bomb for our American friends). The fact that this is even reportable says it all about what was a poor first half, and it was not a surprise to hear similarly course language coming from the home dressing room at half time.
AOB sent out the same eleven that finished the first half for the second period, and it was much business as before to be honest, until the introduction midway through the half of Ray "Razor" Powell for the tired Ascheri. The diminutive defender cum striker paired up well with Brendon Cass, who had again looked sharp but perhaps not best serviced by those around him earlier in the game, and the match picked up some appetite. Having earlier dismissed a strong penalty shout when Cass was felled in the area, the referee had no hesitation on seventy minutes in pointing to the spot for a similar challenge, and Brendon Cass showed his class to send the keeper the wrong way and bury it in the bottom corner.
Chatham pushed for a second, and Powell, who brought much needed aggression to the game was instrumental in a move that saw Jim Lyons this time sky the ball from six yards whilst unmarked, a typical second half highlight of a game that for most parts had flatlined on the excitement ECG.
Chatham kick off in the league next week away to Godalming Town, a side much improved since they were relegated at the TOSC a couple of years ago, and will need to hope that the Chatham defence is a solid at the books would suggest. We've conceded just twice in the six pre season games, and have scored 16. Without wishing to sound negative, there's part of me that doubts we've yet come across a decent front line, but if we can get Lee Barnett fit for the campaign, who knows, maybe we've got a Real Madrid season coming up. Time to see if its another season for Desperate Men.
Chatham line up; Stroud, Probets, Scott, Payne, Potter, Lyons, Solly, Green, Hafner, Cass, Ascheri (subs who got some action were Binks, Davey and Powell)
Highlights: Probably the guts and all performance for half an hour by Ray Powell. Wasn't overly excited by what I saw of him in defence the other night, but as a forward he is energetic, enthusiastic and committed to say the least. Doesn't look like a forward which must shock defences. Will get sent off at least four times this season.
Lowlights: None really, other than one of their players leaving in an ambulance after a freak fall. Hope he's ok.
In conclusion: Let's get on with the competitive games please. This was dullard.
Pointless fact: Sixteen years ago this month, Gate manager Terry Yorath lead Wales to their highest ever Fifa ranking (27th).
MOTM: Michael Scott. Had a great game. Which is a shame for Tommy Binks, as Binks had probably his best season at Chatham yet last term, but will do well to start at right back if Scott keeps showing this amount of natural talent and versatility - converted to attack very well after Green's injury.
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