ChathamTown’s 2-0 win continued their magnificent March on a glorious sunny day winning their 5^th game in a row.

Two well taken penalties from striker AdeYusuff were enough for The Chats to edge this physical affair.

In a first half offering little in the way of goalmouth entertainment, neither goalkeeper was seriously tested despite the home side accumulating five corners.

The second half kicked off with more purpose evident and on 50 minutes the home side took the lead. Ade Yusuff controlling the ball 25 yards out ran toward the by-line on the right side of the penalty area only to be stopped in his tracks by Burnham’s Terry Griffiths. The referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Yusuff’s well taken penalty low to the visitors ‘keepers right side gave The Chat’s the lead.

Showing endeavour not seen in the first half from either side, Yusuff let fly with a curling effort from the edge of the box just after the hour mark that went just over the bar. Moments later, Yusuff laid the ball off to Gacheru on the edge of the box who struck the ball well only to see visiting ‘keeper Godwin Green made a decent save, tipping the ball round the right hand post. From the resulting corner, the visiting ‘keeper had to be aware to push the ball away from underneath his crossbar.

On 66 minutes the home side extended their lead. The industrious Kieran McCann cut inside from the left side touchline and found himself heading towards goal however as he entered the left side of the penalty area he took a tumble under a challenge from Burnham’s backtracking defence. The referee awarded the home side a second penalty despite protestations from the visiting side’s players, management team and officials. From my vantage point the decision looked a little harsh on the visitors. Yusuff stepped up for a second time and confidently struck the ball again to the ‘keepers low right hand side.

Coming into the final 10 minutes the visitors pushed to get something from the game putting Chatham’s defence under scrutiny with two quickly awarded free kicks right on the edge of the home side’s penalty area but the defence and goalkeeper Bradshaw were equal to the task dealing with them well plus a resulting corner kick that came to nothing.

On 88 minutes Burnham’s ‘keeper had to be aware to keep out a well struck half volley from Chatham’s Lee Hales.

Into injury time and Burnham continued to push to get something from the game. A corner on their right side was well headed by defender Griffiths who almost made up for the concession of the first penalty of the game by striking the crossbar with a solid header.

A good win for the home side means they are now 6 unbeaten with the last five, all in March, being victories

 

Chatham: Bradshaw, Morath-Gibbs, Benbow, Lawrence (McDonagh, 59), Hickey (Holder, 71), Knight, Hales, Potter, Gacheru, Yusuff (Kidman, 79), McCann

Sub not used: Solly, Watson

Goals; 50 (Pen – Yusuff), 66 (Pen – Yusuff)

Burnham Ramblers:  Godwin Green, Cossington, Khory Davinson, Evans, Griffiths, Beale (Brandon, 66), Sammut, Burgess, Sisson (Belcher, 66), Hunt, Kirby

Sub not used: Nobbs

Referee: Mr Gregory Read

Assistants: Mr Adam Bakalarz, Mr Valentine Anekwe

Attendance: 128