PLT – Chatham Town 2-0 Rochester United
Post Lockdown Tournament
Chatham Town 2-0 Rochester United
12th July
Match Report from Jim Case for Non League Chronicles
“Onto the next round of fixtures in the Post-Lockdown Friendly Tournament and to the Bauvill Stadium for a Battle of Medway between SCEFL Premier Division favourites Chatham Town and Rochester United of the SCEFL First Division.”
“It was another well attended match at the Bauvill Stadium and amongst the crowd were groundhoppers from Colchester and Clacton as well as the Secretary of the SCEFL and the Chairman of the Isthmian League.
“The Chats lined up in a 3-2-4-1 formation with a mix of first team regulars, squad players and development team graduates and started the better team. Captain Jack Evans had a long range chip in the 11th minute but his effort sailed inches over at the terraced end.
Two minutes later and the Chats broke the deadlock when a Ryan Hayes corner was headed in at the back post by former Folkestone Invicta and Margate defender Liam Friend.
“The Chats came close to extending the lead in the 19th minute when Jon Pilbeam broke down the left and his low cross was deflected against his own post by one of the Rochester centre-halves.
“Pilbeam and Hayes would swap wings during the latter stages of the first half and the former forced a good save out of Rochester goalkeeper Ben Nourse when a thunderbolt was scooped over the bar.
“Dan Bradshaw thought he had extended the lead for the hosts on 37 minutes but his effort was ruled out for offside.
“The second half saw the Chats make numerous changes with the introduction of some youngsters and Josh Strouts, Ike Orji, Harry Maher and Freddie Martin all gained first team minutes. Dermot Deja Vu was a notable absentee from the Chats bench.
“The three points were wrapped up for Chatham in the 71st minute when Orji exploded down the right wing and his low cross was slammed home by Strouts.
“A third goal was on offer for the Chats when Strouts was twice fouled in the area but skipper Evans botched his Panenka penalty and hit the ball straight at Nourse.
“The win sees Chats comfortably in second place and looking like playing in the Final which has been re-scheduled for Thursday 24th June so as not to clash with Czech Republic v England in UEFA Euro 2020.
“NLC Man Of The Match: Jack Parmby
A composed performance by the holding midfielder who looks like he’ll be competing with the likes of Messrs Rooney, Dalton, Robins and Bodkin for a place in the centre of the park.”
Main Photo: David Powell