League leaders Chatham proved too hot to handle at The Bauvill Stadium on Saturday, taking all three points against Lordswood in the Medway Derby. 

Both teams had plenty of chances throughout the first half but when Marlon Patterson’s own goal broke the deadlock, Lordswood just didn’t look the same team after as they then went onto concede three goals in the second half.  

The first ten minutes were uneventful as both teams were trying to find their feet but on the 14th minute, Chatham grabbed the first chance of the game. Matt Bodkin managed to skillfully dance his way through the defence and then float a ball into Paul Vines. However, Rilwan Anibaba was there to make an easy catch, stopping the chance.  

Lordswood were then quick to respond as a great play from Tyler Anderson-Parr allowed him to set up Luke Medley, but Medley sliced it way over the bar on the 19th minute. Then just a minute later, Anibaba gave a chance away to Chatham as he tried to take it past The Chats attacker. However, Chatham couldn’t capitalize on this.  

Anderson-Parr continued to try and break the deadlock in Lordswood’s favour. He threaded a ball through the defence on the 27th minute which dumbfounded The Chats fullback but luckily Jordan Carey was alert and collected it.  

The game then started to die out with both teams struggling to come up with any clear-cut chances. Bodkin had a great chance on the 37th minute after a great solo run but his shot ended up going out of the stadium!  

Lordswood responded as Anderson-Parr went on yet another great run. He then cut it back to Jamie Taylor, but Taylor’s shot was easily blocked on the 41st minute. Just three minutes later, Chatham took it up the other end and found a goal! A lovely corner from the right hand side fell all the way to Vines who headed it back across goal. It then fell to Marlon Patterson who then accidentally turned it into his own net! 

Referee Ryan Chantril-Smith then blew his whistle to signify the end of the half. It looked to be a promising second half as both teams seemed to have their attacking mind-sets switched on!  

However, as soon as the whistle blew for the second half Chatham had it in the back of the net! Vines’ shot was deflected away but fell straight to Harry Harding who hammered it home, giving Chatham a two-goal cushion on the 46th minute. Chatham then began to pile on the pressure with multiple chances. Jack Evans’ attempt from outside the box floated over on the 48th minute and then Harding ran onto a ball which come over the top of the defense but couldn’t capitalize on the 50th minute.  

Chatham were playing exceptional football which is to be expected from the league leaders. Constant attacks were streaming in for The Chats from either side of the field and Lordswood had to quickly come up with something and they did. A lovely touch by Jordan Samuel took it around the defender but Carey beat Samuel to the ball, therefore stopping the attack on the 64th minute. 

Hagan thought he was going to create the third goal for Chatham when he stole the ball from Anibaba. He then crossed it into the box, believing someone was in the box, but no one was there to header it into the empty net on the 74th minute. However, just 5 minutes later Chatham did find their third goal. Super sub Luis Dos Santos, who had only been on the pitch for one minute, made an instant impact after a great ball in from Bodkin was left by Vines for Dos Santos to smash it into the top left corner. 

Lordswood then started to accept the defeat as they couldn’t come up with anything as the Chatham defence was proving too strong for them to break. Then Lordswood’s defeat was made even worse as Harding grabbed his second of the day on the 85th minute. A corner came in from the left side and Harding rose highest, allowing him to head it home.

Chantril-Smith then blew his whistle to bring the game to a close. Chatham will be delighted to have won the ‘El Chavvico’ as fans affectionally know it and remain top of the table whereas Lordswood will hope to bounce back from this heavy defeat. 

Chatham Town: Jordan Carey, Conrad Lee, George Sheminant, Reece Butler, Leon Smith, Justyn Roberts, Matt Bodkin (Ike Orji), Jack Evans, Paul Vines (Captain), Harry Harding (Byron Walker), Michael Hagan (Luis Dos Santos).  

Subs not used: Danny Fitzsimmons and Pat Geddis. 

Yellow Cards: Jack Evans (45th minute)  

Red Cards: N/A 

Goal Scorers: Marlon Patterson (Own Goal 43rd Minute), Harry Harding (46th and 85th minute), Luis Dos Santos (79th minute) 

Lordswood FC: Rilwan Anibaba, Alex Brefo, Mehmet Piro (Shaike Kamara), Marlon Patterson, Jai McGinley, Rob Gilman, Jordan Samuel, Emmanuel Maja, Luke Medley, Klaudio Krasniqi (Jamie Taylor who then came off for Michael Kuku), Tyler Anderson-Parr. 

Subs not Used: Juliano Marku and Cameron Edwards 

Yellow Cards: N/A 

Red Cards: Marlon Patterson (88th minute).  

Goal Scorers: N/A 

Referee: Mr R Chantril-Smith 

Assistants: Mr A Back and Mr R Larkin

Attendance: 556