It was yet another devastating 1-0 defeat for Chatham Town as they came up short against Sheppey United who ended up taking all 3 points.

Before today’s match, both sides led a minute silence in remembrance of the centenary of the end of the First World War – indeed Chatham also had their centre spot painted into the shape of a poppy which was a very class touch from the groundsman!

Sheppey got us underway and had a great attack from Dan Bradshaw blocked by Richard Avery in the 5th minute.

This block didn’t get to Sheppey though as they came straight back with another great attack from Connor Westney.

Westney got into the Chatham box and tried to square it but the ball missed all the Sheppey strikers in the box and went out for a throw-in.

Sheppey constantly piled on the pressure with a corner on the 9th minute, but the chance fell short with Chatham goalkeeper Dan Ellis making the save. However, Chatham fought back with Danny Grant making a good cross into the box which Matt Bodkin met but it went wide.

Chatham started to get into the game during the last 25 minutes of the half with some very dangerous chances.

James Fray’s very dangerous cross pierced the defence of Sheppey but it was cleared away. Chatham consistently piled on pressure with shots from Corey Waters-Wright and Matt Bodkin just going wide.

However, Chatham’s incredible attacking spell was stopped right in its tracks after James Fray gave away a penalty. Sheppey’s top goal scorer, Dan Bradshaw, stepped up to taking the responsibility to put his team into the lead and he did just that.

A calm Bradshaw slotted the ball straight into the back of the net with keeper Dan Ellis not able to get his hands to it and that is how the first half ended.

Chatham had to come out all guns blazing in the second half and that’s exactly what they did. They got the game restarted with a bang with a good chance blocked in the 46th minute.

Then straight after Jack Evans, who was awarded a yellow card just before, had his shot saved and then won a free  kick for The Chats on the 48th minute. The free kick came in but an absolutely sublime left handed save from Aaron Lee-Wharton kept Sheppey a goal up.

Chatham kept piling on the pressure but Sheppey caught them on the counter attack with Bradshaw getting 1 on 2 but keeper Dan Ellis came out and smothered the ball before Bradshaw could take the shot.

However, this counter attack didn’t scare Chatham into a more defensive style of play as Jack Evans struck the ball really well, but it whistled just past the bar on the 57th minute.

Chatham were then given a free kick which had ‘goal’ written all over it, but the chance was scuppered as Jack Mahoney tried going low and the wall blocked his shot very comfortably.

As the half progressed both teams traded chance for chance but neither team really had any clear-cut chances.

However, Chatham were the much more attacking team with plenty of chances hitting the target but all of them being saved by Lee-Wharton who was having an incredible match.

Chatham did give it their all and looked the better side in the second half but they got unlucky in the end.

Chats boss James Collins admitted after the match that his Chatham were ‘brilliant’ in the second half, but he said it’s ‘the second game that we haven’t scored now’ and that there is ‘not enough quality in the final third’.

 

Chatham Town: Dan Ellis, James Fray, Reece Butler, Jack Mahoney (Luis Dos Santos), Richard Avery, Corey Waters-Wright, Danny Grant (Jon Albeam), Jack Evans (Yellow Card), Paul Vines, Byron Walker (Tom Fitzgerald), Matt Bodkin.

Subs not used: Taylor McDonagh and Alfie Spiers.

Sheppey United: Aaron Lee-Wharton, Chris Edwards, William Thomas, Dave Botterill, Jono Richardson, Luke Girt, Timmy Babbington, Connor Westney (Alfie Bates), Ian Batten, Hicham Akhazzen (Theo White)

Subs not used: Kwasi Amoah and Lennie Laker.

 

Report co-written by Ethan Ferguson.