Friendly round-up – 14th July
WEDNESDAY 14 JULY
Chatham Town 2-7 Ebbsfleet Utd
Holmesdale 4-0 UBF Academy
Rochester Utd 2-5 Beckenham Town
There were just 3 pre-season games on Wednesday night, but as usual they gave those in attendance plenty of entertainment, and plenty of goals.
9 of them came at the Bauvill, where just 24 hours after taking on Step 3 Folkestone, Chatham Town faced Step 2 side Ebbsfleet United.
It was a vibrant and attacking display from Fleet, particularly in the first-half when Lee Martin’s strike inside the first minute kick-started a flood of early goals as the visitors went in 5-0 to the good at the break.
It was credit to former Fleet skipper Scott Lindsey that he got his Chatham side back up for it after that tough first 45 and the second-half saw the home side more purposeful in trying to contain their impressive opponents.
It was hard to keep Ebbsfleet out though and one of the six substitutes, Dominic Poleon, extended the lead to six on 64 minutes. Sido Jombati’s run and clever feet opened up the defence and he played a pass wide to Wood who cut into the box and crossed to the far post, allowing Poleon a simple tap-in.
Chatham got one back 10 minutes later. A free-kick a fair distance out was curled into the box by former Dartford man Ryan Hayes but the run and jump of Dan Bradshaw disguised the flight of the ball and it swung straight in and off the bottom of the post.
Within a minute, however, action had swung back to the other end. Poleon and Alfie Egan exchanged passes and as the latter surged into the box, he was upended. Rakish Bingham did the rest, striking a low, firm penalty to the goalkeeper’s left.
There was still time for more goal action to reward the crowd and it was a second for Chatham right at the end. Wood’s clearance was cut out on the edge of the box and as red shirts closed down the space, it was left to Jordy Robins to fire in a well-placed shot just out of Harrison Firth’s reach.
Chatham have set themselves a tough pre-season campaign as next-up for them is Bromley, followed by Charlton, Welling United and Maidstone.
When the SCEFL season kicks off at the end of the month they are sure to be well prepared.
Holmesdale continued their unbeaten pre-season campaign with a 4-0 victory over the UBF Academy in Epsom.
Owen Punselie grabbed his second goal of the week with Bailey Dell, Jacob Skelly and Donell Sama getting the others.
The Dale travel to Otford United on Saturday, before visiting AFC Croydon just 4 days later.
Rochester United went from hosting Ashford United on Saturday to welcoming Beckenham Town to Rede Court Road tonight as their tough schedule advanced ever closer towards the First Division start.
The former SCEFL side Beckenham were comfortable winners in the end as Tunde Aderonmu scored 4 for them in a 5-2 win.
The Spartans next entertain Guru Nanak, two weeks before their first game of the league season against Meridian VP.
There are further friendly fixtures tonight, with the full schedule available here.
Ebbsfleet Match details and photo credit: Ebbsfleet United Website
