A rain soaked Maidstone Road saw a well fought match last night, that unfortunately was curtailed with ten minutes remaining due to a very unpleasant injury to industrious full back Mark Green.
The referee made the difficult call to halt proceedings when it became apparent that the severity of the break to the Chatham man's leg was such that he couldn't be moved until medical professionals arrived. He was finally removed from the pitch some forty minutes later, and was still being treated in the ambulance outside the ground at 10.30.
It was a horrible end to what had otherwise been a tight game with no goals - only Dean Ruddy and his Invicta counterpart Jack Delo kept it that way, both making excellent saves when it mattered. The match though, in reality, fell by the wayside with shocked players leaving the pitch to keep warm in the dressing room, the sight of Green surrounded by staff from both benches awaiting them on their return from the showers.
Mark Green is self employed, and I hope he is adequately insured. I doubt he'll be working again soon - the report on Kentishfootball states that he's got a triple fracture of both the fib and tib. Hopefully he'll return to play with us, but in the meantime I think a decent gesture by the club would be to donate the profits from last night's match to Mark. I'd also like to suggest that those playing last night donate their match fees too. In these uncertain financial times, it would be good to see a display of solidarity amongst non league footballers. This morning, a man is waking up to an uncertain future and a hideous leg break - a little light could go a long way.
The league committee is yet to decide whether to replay the match. I'd like to think both teams would settle for the point that this stalemate deserved, but we'll have to wait and see. I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Sunday, 27 December 2009
MFI Desk 4 - 0 Resolute Desk
Didn't go to yesterday's Boxing Day derby at Sittingbourne, but a strong Chatham side were well beaten by the Brickies in a match that, according to the Sittingbourne match report at least, we again were off the pace and short of options up front.
To be beaten for the twelfth successive time by local rivals must be some sort of record - I'd like to know of any other regular derby that so often ends with only one result - and must also be corrected next Saturday when they visit us.
I note on the official forum there are calls for Rob Denness to be given his chance back up front for Chatham. I'd echo this, but there were no glory days with him and Cass as some would have you believe. There is a place for Denness in the first eleven, and its on the wing. Shame he hates playing there, but we need someone with his control and eye for a pass, and most importantly, his passion. He bleeds red and black, and deserves his chance to shine. With Barnett coming back fit, it has to be Cass and Barnett leading the line - and AOB needs to get them scoring.
Chatham were undone by three goals coming from players who could have been wearing the MTS shirt yesterday - two from Reeves, who turned us down earlier in the season, and one from the apparently freescoring Hicham Akhazzan, who had a spell with us on his release from Gillingham a few years back.
Heads must not drop after this defeat. Our dubious home form is our next hurdle, with the visit of Folkestone on Tuesday a do-or-die game. Again, former Chats at the ready in the form of Darrren Smith and Siiiimon Austin, let's not get undone like a cheap Christmas sweater from Strood market. Lets show what a good weave will get you.
'Mon les Chats!!!
To be beaten for the twelfth successive time by local rivals must be some sort of record - I'd like to know of any other regular derby that so often ends with only one result - and must also be corrected next Saturday when they visit us.
I note on the official forum there are calls for Rob Denness to be given his chance back up front for Chatham. I'd echo this, but there were no glory days with him and Cass as some would have you believe. There is a place for Denness in the first eleven, and its on the wing. Shame he hates playing there, but we need someone with his control and eye for a pass, and most importantly, his passion. He bleeds red and black, and deserves his chance to shine. With Barnett coming back fit, it has to be Cass and Barnett leading the line - and AOB needs to get them scoring.
Chatham were undone by three goals coming from players who could have been wearing the MTS shirt yesterday - two from Reeves, who turned us down earlier in the season, and one from the apparently freescoring Hicham Akhazzan, who had a spell with us on his release from Gillingham a few years back.
Heads must not drop after this defeat. Our dubious home form is our next hurdle, with the visit of Folkestone on Tuesday a do-or-die game. Again, former Chats at the ready in the form of Darrren Smith and Siiiimon Austin, let's not get undone like a cheap Christmas sweater from Strood market. Lets show what a good weave will get you.
'Mon les Chats!!!
Monday, 21 December 2009
"What's going on...
what's going on, I'll tell you what's going on..."
Or some like. Well, an update on all things recent. After the disappointment of yet another home defeat against Worthing (see previous post), we ground out an excellent win at Walton Casuals the following Saturday (12th), with a late Cedric Ngakam goal sealing three points for Chatham.
We were due to battle high flying Godalming on Saturday past, but this match, along with all other games in Kent bar those at Gillingham and Dover, fell foul of the weather. The chance to play a top three side was one that we'd have gladly taken - its vital that we get some back to back wins on the board, but that honour now falls to the Boxing Day trip to sunny Bourne Park where we face old adversaries Sittingbourne.
I say adversaries, because there seems to be a somewhat one sided rivalry between us, that is, they hate us and we don't really care about them.
The rivalry between us was stoked in the national imagination over recent seasons with their comical ditty "All Bling and Burberry", which goes like this;
"All bling and Burberry, high teenage pregnancy, no father on the scene, all robbing cash machines!"
Its funny, and certainly witty. The only problem is that they don't seem to have taken a stroll through the delights of Kemsley recently, or in fact Sittingbourne town centre on a Friday night, whereupon they might realise that we're some sort of chav brethren, perhaps an elaborate town twinning operation that no-one ever knew about. Sittingbourne itself is a Lidl centric gem of a duff town. Chatham is frankly somewhere even the most facistic of totalitarian governments would struggle to come up with a solution to rid the streets of its prolific scum value and the ever growing moutain of base, de-intelligised debauchery. As I said, we're some sort of Chav brotherhood. We should embrace each other...
All joking aside, and rivalry put behind us as we join hands accross the Medway / Swale divide, the Bourne are starting to look like a decent side. Former Chat, Hicham Akhazzan, is banging the goals in for Gary Abott's men, and another former Chat, Matt Bourne, is steadying a solid defence. Like us, if they can get a bit of consistency, they're very much play off contenders, which given their off the pitch woes (low crowds, no money from the Maidstone ground share, had to close the reserve team) would be a welcome jab in the arm. They used to be a big side, until it all went wrong in the 90s. They can be again, but they need to capture the public's imagination -and success on the pitch can do that for them. We're on the up, and meeting them somewhere around the middle of the axies on a graph that would show a halting decline and steady upturn for them, and years of steady growth for us - the hidden attribute in Football Manager speak is the ambition - we've both got it but have we both got enough bite?
I'll keep going on about it until I realise I'm wrong, but Chatham this year appear to have ambition to progress. After seasons of satisfaction at mid table mediocrity, this year is going to be our year - or at least the start of something.
Our fans don't sing. We all know that. But some of us tried the other season, with a song, that personally, and biasedly, I believe to have been better than the Sittingbourne Bling song, which was voted 4th best in the country.
It goes like this - to the tune of Design for Life by the Manic Street Preachers.
I won't be at Bourne Park on Boxing Day. Its just not going to happen. But I will be at the home game against pace setting Folkestone Invicta on tuesday 29th (7.45pm KO), and the Sittingbourne home game on Sat 2nd (3pm) - there will be words or the like here on line at some point after where I'll say what happened and stuff. If you're interested, we've extended the discounts on the door to include as well as NUS, reduced entry for Gillingham ST holders. A great idea. Wonder who came up with it...
Or some like. Well, an update on all things recent. After the disappointment of yet another home defeat against Worthing (see previous post), we ground out an excellent win at Walton Casuals the following Saturday (12th), with a late Cedric Ngakam goal sealing three points for Chatham.
We were due to battle high flying Godalming on Saturday past, but this match, along with all other games in Kent bar those at Gillingham and Dover, fell foul of the weather. The chance to play a top three side was one that we'd have gladly taken - its vital that we get some back to back wins on the board, but that honour now falls to the Boxing Day trip to sunny Bourne Park where we face old adversaries Sittingbourne.
I say adversaries, because there seems to be a somewhat one sided rivalry between us, that is, they hate us and we don't really care about them.
The rivalry between us was stoked in the national imagination over recent seasons with their comical ditty "All Bling and Burberry", which goes like this;
"All bling and Burberry, high teenage pregnancy, no father on the scene, all robbing cash machines!"
Its funny, and certainly witty. The only problem is that they don't seem to have taken a stroll through the delights of Kemsley recently, or in fact Sittingbourne town centre on a Friday night, whereupon they might realise that we're some sort of chav brethren, perhaps an elaborate town twinning operation that no-one ever knew about. Sittingbourne itself is a Lidl centric gem of a duff town. Chatham is frankly somewhere even the most facistic of totalitarian governments would struggle to come up with a solution to rid the streets of its prolific scum value and the ever growing moutain of base, de-intelligised debauchery. As I said, we're some sort of Chav brotherhood. We should embrace each other...
All joking aside, and rivalry put behind us as we join hands accross the Medway / Swale divide, the Bourne are starting to look like a decent side. Former Chat, Hicham Akhazzan, is banging the goals in for Gary Abott's men, and another former Chat, Matt Bourne, is steadying a solid defence. Like us, if they can get a bit of consistency, they're very much play off contenders, which given their off the pitch woes (low crowds, no money from the Maidstone ground share, had to close the reserve team) would be a welcome jab in the arm. They used to be a big side, until it all went wrong in the 90s. They can be again, but they need to capture the public's imagination -and success on the pitch can do that for them. We're on the up, and meeting them somewhere around the middle of the axies on a graph that would show a halting decline and steady upturn for them, and years of steady growth for us - the hidden attribute in Football Manager speak is the ambition - we've both got it but have we both got enough bite?
I'll keep going on about it until I realise I'm wrong, but Chatham this year appear to have ambition to progress. After seasons of satisfaction at mid table mediocrity, this year is going to be our year - or at least the start of something.
Our fans don't sing. We all know that. But some of us tried the other season, with a song, that personally, and biasedly, I believe to have been better than the Sittingbourne Bling song, which was voted 4th best in the country.
It goes like this - to the tune of Design for Life by the Manic Street Preachers.
"Walker gave us power,
Then Binks came and made us free,
What price now, Mid-table mediocrity?
We don't talk about cups...
We only want to stay up...
And we are not allowed to spend,
Because the gate receipts say that would be the end,
Ryman League, For Life,
Ryman League, For Life,
Ryman League, For Life,
Ryman League for Life..."
If we get any good, it won't ever get sung again. Just as well no-one ever does.
I won't be at Bourne Park on Boxing Day. Its just not going to happen. But I will be at the home game against pace setting Folkestone Invicta on tuesday 29th (7.45pm KO), and the Sittingbourne home game on Sat 2nd (3pm) - there will be words or the like here on line at some point after where I'll say what happened and stuff. If you're interested, we've extended the discounts on the door to include as well as NUS, reduced entry for Gillingham ST holders. A great idea. Wonder who came up with it...
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Chats 0 - 1 Worthing
A poor performance from both sides in a drab encounter that saw Worthing run out 1-0 winners on a boggy pitch which they adapted to sooner than Chatham (who would still be knocking balls down the middle the next day given the chance), and a match that must have left Donny Logan with plenty to think about.
Saturday saw a debut for new centre half Cedric Ngakam, formerly of Ebbsfleet and Welling (that's two different clubs, desperate 'fleet haven't changed their name again), who came in for the suspended Richard Avery. The Frenchman had a solid game at the back and seems a good addition to the squad. I hope he's versatile, because Payne and Avery have been pretty dependable if unspectacular so far this season and he may struggle to hold down a spot. That said, Payne is suspended next, and I think Cedric is only on loan at present, with Welling team mate Steffan Gaisie.
Ngakam's debut was one of few positives for a Chatham side who despite endeavour seemed tactically clueless at times. The ongoing absence through injury of Brad Potter is starting to become more and more of a thorn in the Chats midfield. Touted as a future Steve Best when he joined, he's looked strong and threatening when played in the middle of the park as opposed to at the back where he won't push out either Ray Powell or David Daryl Hall any time soon. The midfield lacked bite. Wilfort, a powerhouse of a midfielder much like Steve Best can only sop up so many stray balls whilst Solly and Lyons go missing as they did so often on Saturday. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but its got to be one or the other - they are essentially the same player, and they tend to hinder each other's game. Solly is in my opinion our player of the year so far. He in truth had a poor game on Saturday, from which I am sure he'll bounce back. We need a bit of talent on the right side of midfield, and Brad Potter can't return soon enough. A settled centre for Alex O'Brien would surely be Walker, Wilfort, Solly and Potter. Indeed, Byron Walker's return (how many now?) has been lauded by some as a stroke of genius. I love the guy. He's fast, he's tricksy, and he scares defenders. But not on a pitch like the one we have at the moment. The Sports Ground's surface doesn't lend itself to flair very much at the moment. The intricate passing game we've developed is null and void at home, and resorting to route one just doesn't suit Cassie and Gaisie.
I'm sure all of this is in OB's mind too. Of course, he has years of playing experience and tactical genius behind him. I'm just a dumb boy from Twydall. What would I know!
Tomorrow night sees a trip to Ryman Premier side Tonbridge Angels in the third round of the Championship Manager cup. Let's hope for a performance to match that which saw our defeat of Cray Wanderers last month, one of the most assured and confident displays I've seen this season.
Hopefully, Barnett has recovered from the illness that ruled him out on Saturday. Gaisie has yet to extend his loan spell, but if he has, Barnett's got a challenge on his hands. Perhaps if he can put a tackle in from time to time, he may be what we need in midfield. His presence and ball control alone suggest he's more than halfway competent in such a role.
This correspondent won't be at the Longmead, but I'll try to bring some sort of update along the way.
Up and at 'em Chatham!
Chatham line up vs Worthing (with ratings!); Ruddy (6), Powell (7), Ngakam (7), Payne (6), Probets (7), Walker (6), Lyons (6) Solly (5), Wilfort (7), Cass (6), Gaisie (7) - Subs, Ascheri for Walker (6), Scott for Cass (6)
MOTM - Cedric Ngakam
The ref: Buck of Istead Rise. It stops with him you know. Had a very good game.
Saddest Sight: Cass looking lost for most of the game wondering what he had to do to get a sniff at goal. We've got to get the man some crosses so he can do what we're paying him for! He even looked lost after the game heading for the dressing room alone, then standing waiting for his team mates.
Second saddest sight: The criminally obese Worthing supporter who seemed to not even be accepted by his own fans, desperate to start some sort of trouble. He didn't take well to a well intentioned shout of "Small Town in Sussex" (everyone knows that non-league banter is just that - banter), but he missed the point. This was met with a shout of "Small town in Kent!" then lots of random expletives, reminders that he supported Millwall (which must seem "hard" in Worthing but in North Kent is not a rarity and not that impressive given our sink estates and high streets) and people being declared C-bombs, before being warned by our Chairman. A shame really, because the Worthing support was the most impressive I've seen in a long time, a friendly bunch, well behaved and passionate for their team. And given this season's change in fortune and management team for them, I'd like to see them go up. They had an off day but still beat us - clearly the best team we've played this year.
Saturday saw a debut for new centre half Cedric Ngakam, formerly of Ebbsfleet and Welling (that's two different clubs, desperate 'fleet haven't changed their name again), who came in for the suspended Richard Avery. The Frenchman had a solid game at the back and seems a good addition to the squad. I hope he's versatile, because Payne and Avery have been pretty dependable if unspectacular so far this season and he may struggle to hold down a spot. That said, Payne is suspended next, and I think Cedric is only on loan at present, with Welling team mate Steffan Gaisie.
Ngakam's debut was one of few positives for a Chatham side who despite endeavour seemed tactically clueless at times. The ongoing absence through injury of Brad Potter is starting to become more and more of a thorn in the Chats midfield. Touted as a future Steve Best when he joined, he's looked strong and threatening when played in the middle of the park as opposed to at the back where he won't push out either Ray Powell or David Daryl Hall any time soon. The midfield lacked bite. Wilfort, a powerhouse of a midfielder much like Steve Best can only sop up so many stray balls whilst Solly and Lyons go missing as they did so often on Saturday. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but its got to be one or the other - they are essentially the same player, and they tend to hinder each other's game. Solly is in my opinion our player of the year so far. He in truth had a poor game on Saturday, from which I am sure he'll bounce back. We need a bit of talent on the right side of midfield, and Brad Potter can't return soon enough. A settled centre for Alex O'Brien would surely be Walker, Wilfort, Solly and Potter. Indeed, Byron Walker's return (how many now?) has been lauded by some as a stroke of genius. I love the guy. He's fast, he's tricksy, and he scares defenders. But not on a pitch like the one we have at the moment. The Sports Ground's surface doesn't lend itself to flair very much at the moment. The intricate passing game we've developed is null and void at home, and resorting to route one just doesn't suit Cassie and Gaisie.
I'm sure all of this is in OB's mind too. Of course, he has years of playing experience and tactical genius behind him. I'm just a dumb boy from Twydall. What would I know!
Tomorrow night sees a trip to Ryman Premier side Tonbridge Angels in the third round of the Championship Manager cup. Let's hope for a performance to match that which saw our defeat of Cray Wanderers last month, one of the most assured and confident displays I've seen this season.
Hopefully, Barnett has recovered from the illness that ruled him out on Saturday. Gaisie has yet to extend his loan spell, but if he has, Barnett's got a challenge on his hands. Perhaps if he can put a tackle in from time to time, he may be what we need in midfield. His presence and ball control alone suggest he's more than halfway competent in such a role.
This correspondent won't be at the Longmead, but I'll try to bring some sort of update along the way.
Up and at 'em Chatham!
Chatham line up vs Worthing (with ratings!); Ruddy (6), Powell (7), Ngakam (7), Payne (6), Probets (7), Walker (6), Lyons (6) Solly (5), Wilfort (7), Cass (6), Gaisie (7) - Subs, Ascheri for Walker (6), Scott for Cass (6)
MOTM - Cedric Ngakam
The ref: Buck of Istead Rise. It stops with him you know. Had a very good game.
Saddest Sight: Cass looking lost for most of the game wondering what he had to do to get a sniff at goal. We've got to get the man some crosses so he can do what we're paying him for! He even looked lost after the game heading for the dressing room alone, then standing waiting for his team mates.
Second saddest sight: The criminally obese Worthing supporter who seemed to not even be accepted by his own fans, desperate to start some sort of trouble. He didn't take well to a well intentioned shout of "Small Town in Sussex" (everyone knows that non-league banter is just that - banter), but he missed the point. This was met with a shout of "Small town in Kent!" then lots of random expletives, reminders that he supported Millwall (which must seem "hard" in Worthing but in North Kent is not a rarity and not that impressive given our sink estates and high streets) and people being declared C-bombs, before being warned by our Chairman. A shame really, because the Worthing support was the most impressive I've seen in a long time, a friendly bunch, well behaved and passionate for their team. And given this season's change in fortune and management team for them, I'd like to see them go up. They had an off day but still beat us - clearly the best team we've played this year.
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Do it. Do it. Win at Met Police... Do it!
Says Don Logan...
But I don't think we can boss...
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.... DO IT. DO IT. DO IT.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Three on the bounce - let's turn it around
Well, having had some time to reflect, and to read Rochester Valiant's match report, a bit more comment, as promised, on Saturday's 4-3 defeat at Fleet Town.
I mentioned the other week that I was disappointed that I'd been unable to attend the Corinthian Casuals home match. I mentioned was disappointed not to attend the Fleet away game. I still am.
Yes, we lost 4-3. Again, as AOB says on yourmedway, we capitulated at the worst possible moment. But AOB promised us excitement at the start of the season. I've mentioned we need to shore the defence up. Sure, we need to stop leaking goals, but if we go up with a goal difference of not very much, as long as we go up, how we achieve it doesn't matter. Yes, we'd all love to see a successful team at The Theatre of Slapstick. But the ground wouldn't be living up to its moniker if it weren't for the heart attack inducing moments that are becoming so frequent this season. I've lost count of how many games we've either won or lost or thrown away in the dying stages. It would of course be fantastic to be doing a Dartford, running away with the league with clean sheets left right and centre, but I'm not going to complain about the fun that is following the Chats this season.
To be frank, in the five seasons I've been watching us, this is still the most exciting I've seen it. We look awesome at times, and we've not even settled in yet. We were understrength on Saturday, and still scored three times. We've got too many strikers, I've said as much on the forum, but what's that to moan about. There were times over the last four years where we had no strikers - well, none who could cut the proverbial. Now we have, in my mind, the potentially best strike partnership in the league in Barnett and Cass, and now Steffan Gaisie, threatening to bring it on further. We've got Justin Ascheri, Byron Walker and Ray Powell, who I still think looks better up front than at the back.
There's been some chat on the forum about how we can improve at the back. I don't think dropping Dean Ruddy is the answer. Richie Stroud was conceded goals freely as well. And I don't think there's much difference between them - its simply the cost of playing such attack minded football. There's also talk about the apparent indiscipline - having given this some thought, is it the cost of the fire that AOB has put into the team? Can we be critical?
Tomorrow sees the visit of Ramsgate to TOSC. The Rams are good away from home, having lost just twice, scoring ten goals in their seven games. But we're good enough to beat them. Its a big game - we've got to turn it around before Met Police away on Saturday.
I have no doubt that AOB is going to turn it round. I've no doubt that this man is the man to make this club great. Come on the Chats!
I'll let you know how we get on.
I mentioned the other week that I was disappointed that I'd been unable to attend the Corinthian Casuals home match. I mentioned was disappointed not to attend the Fleet away game. I still am.
Yes, we lost 4-3. Again, as AOB says on yourmedway, we capitulated at the worst possible moment. But AOB promised us excitement at the start of the season. I've mentioned we need to shore the defence up. Sure, we need to stop leaking goals, but if we go up with a goal difference of not very much, as long as we go up, how we achieve it doesn't matter. Yes, we'd all love to see a successful team at The Theatre of Slapstick. But the ground wouldn't be living up to its moniker if it weren't for the heart attack inducing moments that are becoming so frequent this season. I've lost count of how many games we've either won or lost or thrown away in the dying stages. It would of course be fantastic to be doing a Dartford, running away with the league with clean sheets left right and centre, but I'm not going to complain about the fun that is following the Chats this season.
To be frank, in the five seasons I've been watching us, this is still the most exciting I've seen it. We look awesome at times, and we've not even settled in yet. We were understrength on Saturday, and still scored three times. We've got too many strikers, I've said as much on the forum, but what's that to moan about. There were times over the last four years where we had no strikers - well, none who could cut the proverbial. Now we have, in my mind, the potentially best strike partnership in the league in Barnett and Cass, and now Steffan Gaisie, threatening to bring it on further. We've got Justin Ascheri, Byron Walker and Ray Powell, who I still think looks better up front than at the back.
There's been some chat on the forum about how we can improve at the back. I don't think dropping Dean Ruddy is the answer. Richie Stroud was conceded goals freely as well. And I don't think there's much difference between them - its simply the cost of playing such attack minded football. There's also talk about the apparent indiscipline - having given this some thought, is it the cost of the fire that AOB has put into the team? Can we be critical?
Tomorrow sees the visit of Ramsgate to TOSC. The Rams are good away from home, having lost just twice, scoring ten goals in their seven games. But we're good enough to beat them. Its a big game - we've got to turn it around before Met Police away on Saturday.
I have no doubt that AOB is going to turn it round. I've no doubt that this man is the man to make this club great. Come on the Chats!
I'll let you know how we get on.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Sinton 4-3 AOB
Very quick post this - score fresh in off of NLN24 live - but Chatham beaten again - three on the bounce - 4-3 at Fleet Town.
Full reaction to follow.
Full reaction to follow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)