Chatham took a massive step in their promotion push with a victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Whitehawk with a winner in added time.

For most of the big crowd it was fully deserved and with other results and postponements they have gone top. Bank Holiday Monday’s game against Ramsgate could be pivotal in who wins the league.

The game had only been going 4 minutes when a cross into the Chatham penalty area saw Nathan Cooper and Ben Bridle-Card clash causing both to need treatment, especially Bridle-Card. Then when the physio’s had treated both players someone in the crowd had collapsed and they both raced into the crowd to help.

The game got started and both sides took a while to get going, then in the 18^th minute Chatham took the lead when a short corner was flicked on by Jack Evans to Ashley Nzala who laid it back to Evans who from 12 yards fired into the back of the net.

Chatham were now in control with a lot of possession but could not get another goal, then the 41st minute the visitors equalised when the ball on the left was crossed into the area where it rebounded around until it fell at Khris Oti’s feet, where he slotted home from three yards out. 

Chatham should have regained the lead in the 11^th minute of added on time when Evan’s cross into the area found Seidou Sanogo but from eight yards unopposed he headed wide.

The second half saw Chatham again having more possession but not getting any goals, their first real chance came in the 74^th minute when Matt Bodkin on the left crossed into the area finding Danny Kedwell, his header from 15 yards came back off the cross bar.

Then eight minutes later Evans saw his 20 yard shot go past the post, three minutes later Dan Bradshaw had a great opportunity to win the game when he received the ball eight yards out but he blazed his shot over the bar.

Time was running out for Chatham who had now three forwards on while Whitehawk were happy to gain a point but football has a funny way to end.

In the second minute of added on time Simon Cooper going forward chipped the ball into the area where Emmanuel Oloyede chested it down for Kedwell who was fouled and a penalty was given. Evans stepped up and shot straight down the middle to win the game.

        Chatham Town:

1. B.Bridle-Card  2. I.Orji  3. S.Cooper  4. J.Robins (84)  5. R.Butler  8. J.Evans

14. D.Kedwell  17. S.Sanogo (66)  18. M.Bodkin  19. A.Nzala(78)  20. C.Krabbendam

Subs Used: 16. A.Drury (66)  10. E.Oloyede (78)  9. D.Bradshaw (84)

Subs Not Used: 7. P.Lock  12. R.Orlu

Bookings: 2. I.Orji (43) 5. R.Butler (65)

Whitehawk:

1. L.Glover  2. H.Morrison  3. L.Moore  4. W.Miles  5. N.Cooper  6. L.Cocoracchio

7.    A.Rogers (67)  8. A.Rodriguez (67)  9. K.Oti (85)  10. R.O’toole  11. J.Daly

Subs Used:  12. L.Robinson (67)  14. S.Wright (67)  17. C.Lambert (85)

Subs Not Used: 15. M.Hudson  16. R.Price-Placid

Bookings: None

Referee: Mr K.Dempster 

Assistants: Nmr R.Jeffrey & Mr. R.Chantrill-Smith

Att: 1480