A game between two sides who between them had played two games in the past month didn’t really promise too much and sadly that’s what Maidstone Road’s biggest gate of the season was “treated” to!
That said Kevin Watson’s side came agonisingly close to claiming what would have been just their third home win of the season when in stoppage time from the games best move (and a delightful through ball from Kieran McCann) young striker Ade Yusuff raced clear and as he looked to place the ball in the bottom corner, Needham Market keeper did brilliantly to get down and touch the ball wide of his left post.
Sadly is was a moment on brilliance on both sides that was all too lacking on an overcast Medway afternoon. It was a performance though that Watson wasn’t too discouraged about especially when you consider that their visitors are chasing a Play Off place for a fourth consecutive season.
Speaking afterwards, Watson said, “the lads put a lot into what was a hard fought game – they got something out of it! I didn’t want them to go away not getting enough – I think the game plan everything went to plan and the mentality of the lads pleased me as I wanted a response from the lads after some disappointing results going into the New Year, and I think I got that and everything went right.”
“And of course we had the chance to win the game right at the end but whilst Ade didn’t score, its the nature of being a forward. You can take the headlines if you score last minute winners and then there’s a lot of criticism if you don’t.”
“I’ve been asking people to up their performances recently – we haven’t had people playing poorly; they just haven’t been playing as well as we know they can and we needed people playing well today against I side who I believe will be there or there about’s come the end of the season.”
The game itself took a while to get going as the lack of football for both sides clearly showed, and it was Needham who had the first chance as Ryan Melaugh raced clear only to be denied by a fine save from Chats keeper Jack Bradshaw – Bradshaw made himself a large target, one which Melaugh couldn’t force the ball past.
Melaugh then almost turned provider as his driven centre was placed just too far in front of the lunging Russell Malton, who slide in at the far post but just couldn’t stretch enough. Yet despite having more possession it was the Chats eho nearly grabbed the lead on the half hour. McCann’s right wing corner was flicked on by Yuseff only for Luke Hammonds to volley the ball off of the goal line.
The second half was a real war of attrition with both sides threatening but both having the same killer pass missing and it took until the final 15 minutes for either side to come close, when both sides suddenly realised that the game was there for the taking. Maldon and Ian Westlake combined for the visitors before Westlake’s shot flew across the face of goal to safety.
Then from a corner with just four minutes left substitute Richard Logan headed over when unmarked after great play by Darryl Coakley and Kemal Izzet. Then came Yusuff’s late golden chance but Plummer’s fine save kept the score line blank.
Watson will look for his side’s remarkable Cup campaign to continue on Tuesday when they host Cray Wanderers for a place in the last eight of the Robert Dyas (Ryman League) Cup.
CHATHAM TOWN – Jack Bradshaw, Kalbin Morath-Gibbs, Greg Benbow, Liam Hickey (James Alderman 52), Brad Potter, Corey Holder, Lee Hales, Matt Solly, Austin Gacheru, Ade Yusuff, Kieran McCann
Subs – Drew Crush, Taylor McDonagh, Kevin Watson, Lee Kidman
NEEDHAM MARKET – Andrew Plummer, Sheridan Driver, Darryl Coakley, Luke Hammonds, Samuel Nunn, Luke Ingram, Kemal Izzet, Russell Malton, Ian Westlake, Ryan Melaugh (Ryan Charles 17)(Richard Logan 68)
Subs – Lee Townrow, Ace Howell, Adam Mills
Referee – Mr J Pike (Hassocks)
Assistants – Mr G Hamilton (Brighton) & Mr J Miles (Peacehaven)