Chatham Town increased their lead at the top of the SCEFL Premier Division table on Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 away win at Holmesdale who had to play with ten men for the final twenty five minutes following a sending off.

Chatham started the game on top, passing the ball well and putting Holmesdale Under pressure. Hayes hit a free kick just over early on, before the visitors took the lead on 11 minutes when a pass out by Dale keeper Edwards saw Shield lose the ball to Hayes who coolly slotted home into the corner for 0-1.

As Chatham continued to press Shaomnant headed over from a dangerous Hayes corner, before Dale settled and had a good spell.

Buiti shot over from range for the home side and a deep cross from Powell-Downey was well held by Walker in the Chats goal. Hayes curled another chance over late in the half for the visitors, while at the other end a free kick came to nothing after a foul on Pope-Campbell.

The second half saw Holmesdale start well and do some pressing, Polius had a shot saved by Walker, before Chatham came back into things.

After a scramble in the area from a free kick, Shield did well to clear the ball away and Palmby fired wide from range soon after, but the visitors were then handed a telling advantage on 65 minutes which all but ended the spirited Dale resistance.

McCarthy was show a second yellow card after what looked no more than a collision between him and Palmby out on the right wing and from the resulting free kick Chatham made it 2-0 when Hayes played in Orji down the right and he crossed for Bradshaw to covert at the near post.

Hayes and Orji combined again soon after to set up Dalton who shot wide and they linked up once more to set up captain Evans who drilled the ball home for 3-0 from just inside the box to kill the game off on 74 minutes.

Evans then forced a good save from Edwards, before Holmesdale responded and created a few chances late on, Walker making saves from Punselie and Hackshall.

In the end Lee Roots side couldn’t find a way through and Chatham kept a clean sheet to go with their three points that leaves them six clear at the top of the table.

Dale: Edwards, Buiti, McCarthy, Polius (Hackshall 60), Eels, Shield, Powell-Downey, Ward, Pope-Campbell (Ash 47), Punselie, Hubbard (Dell 79).

Subs: Constable, Ash, Dell, Hackshall.

Chatham: Walker, Orji, Shomnant, Robbins (Bartlett 79), Butler, Gill, Hayes, Evans (Bodkin85), Bradshaw, Palmby, Kedwell (Dalton 60).

Subs: Bodkin, Dalton, Osideku, Bartlett.

Goals: Hayes 11, Bradshaw 65, Evans 74mins.

Ref: Mr Ashley Rogi

Ht 0-1 FT 0-3

Att: 129