It was a derby day game to remember for Chatham Town as an exceptional performance sealed them all three points against Lordswood today at Martyn Grove.  

Lordswood got us underway but it was Chatham who come out more attacking with some early chances almost creating goals. The most significant chance come to Byron Walker on the 5th minute after a superb ball from Matt Parsons pierced through the defense, but Walker just couldn’t reach it in time as the ball rolled out for a goal kick. Lordswood then got a chance for themselves when Adam Hooper ran through in on goal, but his cross was headed away by Richard Avery on the 8th minute.

Chatham responded quickly to this dangerous cross and went up the other end and produced a dangerous cross which almost got them the lead on the 12th minute! A great cross from new signing Michael Jenner floated into the box and Paul Vines was the first to meet the ball. Vine’s header was an accurate one but not accurate enough as it hit the post! This then led to a rebound which had goal written all over it but that hit the crossbar!

Chatham kept piling the pressure on as Byron Walker’s shot almost caused some trouble but a good block from Freeman Rogers kept it from going in on the 20th minute. Danny Grant then almost gave Chatham the lead after some beautiful play from Harrison Carnegie and Walker. Carnegie picked out the perfect pass for Walker who then laid it off for Grant, but Grant’s shot just didn’t have enough curve as it floated just inches past the post on the 21st minute.

Finally, on the 33rd minute, Chatham broke the deadlock after constant chances with a goal coming from Avery. A great ball in fell to Avery who headed it towards goal, but it led to a comfortable save for Dan Smith. However, it wasn’t so comfortable as the ball ended in the back of the net as Smith just couldn’t get a grip on the ball! Then just like that it was two for Chatham on the 36th minute with a goal coming from Paul Vines, taking his tally to 39 goals! The ball fell to him in the box and allowed him to easily poke it around Smith and into the back of the net.  

The half then eased out and finished 2-0 as Chatham looked like they were just going to cruise through the second half after a dominant first half performance.

HALF TIME: Lordswood FC 0-2 Chatham Town

Chatham got us underway for the second half and came out looking to put the game to bed. A lovely run from Parsons almost did put the game to bed but a sublime block kept Lordswood in the game on the 54th minute. Then another great chance come in the form of a cross from Grant which floated towards Matt Bodkin, but Bodkin’s header just whistled past the post.

It looked as if Lordswood were never going to get a chance as Chatham constantly kept on the pressure with some great chances, but they finally did and almost scored an equalizer from it! The ball floated into the box and created the perfect shot but a magnificent goal line clearance from Reece Butler stopped the ball from nestling into the back of the net on the 66th minute.

This chance then scared Chatham into a more defensive style as Lordswood started to pile the pressure on as they looked for their equalizer. A great ball in almost fell to the back post for Lordswood which would’ve been a certain goal as they had plenty of orange shirts lurking around in that area, but it was cleared out for a corner which led to even more pressure for Chatham on the 77th minute! A great corner from Ricky Gundry fell to Joe Kane whose header just went wide but the chances were not over just yet for Lordswood.  

Tom Carter then had the chance to equalize for Lordswood on the 77th after setting himself up for a clean shot but he just couldn’t get the right connection as the ball flew out for a goal kick. Lordswood  seemed to had stolen Chatham’s attacking mindset as they just couldn’t stop attacking! However, Chatham finally put Lordswood to bed with a beautiful goal from Grant on the 85th minute. The ball fell to Grant on the edge of the box from a corner and he took his opportunity perfectly with a sweet volley ending up in the bottom right corner.

However, the game wasn’t just done there as Lordswood managed to pull one goal back after all their efforts. Some lovely play from Jordan Wells set the ball up for Andy Irvine who easily tucked the ball into the back of the net.

The ref then blew his whistle bringing the “El Chavvico” as fans affectionally know it to a close. It will be one to remember with both teams putting on a great performance, but Chatham were just too good for Lordswood today and end up with all three points.

Lordswood FC: Dan Smith, Joe Kane, Frank Griffin, Fjord Rogers, Freeman Rogers (Captain), Teddy Nelson, Euan Sahadow, George Blake, James Huggins, Adam Hopper, Andy Irvine.

Subs: Jordan Wells for Fjord Rogers (45th Minute), Ricky Gundry for Euan Sahadow (61st Minute) and Tom Carter for Adam Hooper (71st Minute).

Subs not used: Alfie Bates and Ryan Cheek.

Yellow Cards: Freeman Rogers (62nd Minute)

Red Cards: N/A

Chatham Town: Kleton Perntreou, Danny Grant, Matt Parsons, Michael Jenner, Richard Avery, Reece Butler, Harrison Carnegie, Tom Fitzgerald, Paul Vines (Captain), Byron Walker, Matt Bodkin.

Subs: Jon Pilbeam for Harrison Carnegie (66th Minute), Sam Welch for Michael Jenner (74th Minute) and Paul Gross for Matt Parsons (84th Minute).

Subs not used: James Fray and Michael Hagan.

Yellow Cards: Michael Jenner (64th Minute)

Red Cards: N/A

Attendance: 252