Chatham’s season has fizzled out as they lost again one nil to play-off hopefuls Cray Valley PM, who needed to win to keep the momentum going in the race to secure a spot in the play-offs.

The game started slowly and the first chance of the game came in the ninth minute when a cross into the Chatham area found Mohammed Idris Oshilaja and his cross shot evaded everyone and went out for a goal kick.

Chatham took a while to get going and in the 22^nd minute Trevon Bryan put Harry Webster in the area, but his shot hit the side netting.

Cray nearly took the lead in the 36^th minute when a corner into the box found Crossley Lema but his header came back off the crossbar, a minute later and they took the lead when another corner into the area found Dean Bowry who headed home from six yards. 

Cray had one more half chance before half time when in the second minute of added on time saw Tom Beere’s shot from 20 yards go over the bar.

The second half was only nine minutes old when Webster on the right forced Harrison Chamberlain to push his cross around the post.

Cray then had a great chance to double their lead when a corner to the back post saw Marcel Barrington just fail to touch it home.

The game went a little quiet as both teams were guilty of giving the ball away and then in the 72^nd minute Ben Sangare was dispossessed by Sonny Black who ran forward before putting Beere in on goal, but Reece Butler got back to block his shot.

Three minutes later and Chatham nearly equalised when a Jack Evans corner into the area found Jamie Yila who rose and saw his header come back of the cross bar, another chance came in the 82^nd minute when Butler pass to Yila who let it go through for Webster who went into the area and from 12 yards saw his shot saved by Chamberlain.

Cray had their last chance when a long ball forward caused confusion and Barrington latched onto it but his shot from 12 yards was saved by Molyneux.

Time was nearly up and a corner into the Cray area saw Webster’s header drift just wide of the goal, the full time whistle went and the Chatham players were glad the game had ended but did a lap of honour in front of their supporters and now with one game to go then they can recharge and go again in this division while Cray cemented their place in the play-offs.

        Chatham Town:

1. H.Molyneux  2. H.Webster  3. K.Aidoo4. J.Robins (58)  5. R.Butler  6. S.Nelson (88)  8. J.Evans

10.  F.Sears  16. L.Chambers (53)   17. J.Mongoy (67)  18. T.Byran (53)

Subs Used:  11. J.Yila (53)  12. B.Sangare (53)  7. K.Isiaka (58)  20. J.Ufuah (67)  15. S.Cooper (88)

Subs Not Used: All Used

Bookings: 8. J.Evans (60)  7. K.Isiaka (66)  5. R.Butler (77)

Cray Valley PM:

29. H.Chamberlain  3. T.Chambers (70)  5. M.Idris Oshilaja  8. S.Black  10. A.Coobes (83) 14. M.Barrington

24.  T.Beere (79)  26. D.Bowry  27. K.Aileru (70)  28. K.Cumberbatch (88)  31. C.Lema

Subs Used: 11. M.Ademiluyi  (70)  17. D.Waldren (70) 16. M.Vigor (79) 15. A.Coker (83) 21. F.Shomotun (88)

Subs Not Used: All Used

       Bookings: 11. M.Ademiluyi (85)   31. C.Lema (90+1)

Referee:  Mr O.Kaya

Assistants: Mr. E.Arsian  & Mr. J.Dixon-Walker

Att: 1594

Image courtesy of Chatham Town FC