28thjuly05

Thursday 28th July 2005

Denness scores on Chatham debut

Chatham Town got their pre-season programme underway on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory over Kentish Observer League side Hythe Town at Reachfields Stadium, writes Neil Sanders.

The Southern League visitors started with new signing Andy Garrett in defence and teenager Byron Walker on the left.

Hythe included former Chatham striker Steve Jones in their line up.

Walker got into the action early laying the ball in to Brendan Cass who turned well and found the top corner of the Hythe net for an 8th minute lead.

Mark Brookes and Steve Best both forced good saves from the Hythe keeper and Cass hit the bar shortly before the interval.

At the other end Clark Hunt had to back peddle to make a high catch from a free kick but was otherwise barely troubled in the first half.

Chatham manager Steve Binks brought on Ross Finn and Rob Denness at half time and took the opportunity to make further changes throughout the second half, including the introduction of a chatty young central defender by the name of Phil Miles!

Hythe had opportunities courtesy of two miss-hit passes in the Chats defence. The first resulted in Jones hitting the side netting, whilst the second forced the best save of the night from Hunt.

Denness was causing problems for the Hythe defence and got his reward for hard work in the 71st minute. Showing good pace and strength, he beat one defender and held off a second, before rounding the keeper to score an excellent debut goal.

Hythe struck back five minutes later. A penalty was awarded for hand ball and although the spot kick struck the post, the rebound was scrambled over the line to make it 2-1.

All round a good first outing for Chatham. Walker looked lively on the left and continued to impress with his pace and skill when switched to the right for the second half. Garrett looked comfortable at left back and Denness offered a good alternative up front.

Chatham Town:

Hunt, Binks, Garrett, Boyle (Miles 78), D.Larkin, Best (Solly 57), Brookes (Finn 45), Searle (Lyons 75), Cass, Wallond (Denness 45), Walker (Middleton 63).