barking011105

Thursday 01st September 2005

Chatham motor on into third round

Tuesday 1st November 2005	Errea Cup Second Round	Neil Sanders reports from Mayesbrook Park
Barking & East Ham United	2	Lenahan 4 Palmer 80
Chatham Town	3	Cass 13,67 Long 65

Chatham got back to winning ways with a vastly improved performance in the Errea Cup clash at Barking and East Ham United on Tuesday night, writes Neil Sanders.

After suffering traffic delays getting there, Chats found themselves a goal behind after just four minutes when Michael Lenahan tucked away a far post cross.

Brendan Cass pulled them back on level terms nine minutes later when he was first to the rebound after a shot had hit the post. Both teams were reduced to 10 men shortly before half time following a minor altercation between Chatham's Andy Larkin and Barking's former Tonbridge Angels' striker, Warren Haughton.

Both teams came out after the break looking to go on the attack which made for an entertaining game. Early chances went begging at both ends before new signing from Ashford Town Jason Long scored a debut goal to put Chatham in front, 20 minutes after his half time introduction.

From a free kick, quick thinking and a good long range pass, enabled Tom Binks to find Long moving into the area. The left foot finish inside the far post matched the quality of the pass.

Two minutes later it was 3-1. Rob Denness making a welcome return from injury, ran clear of the hosts defence and showed excellent vision to set up Cass to slot home at close range, when he could have taken a shot himself.

At the other end Louis Green made a fine reaction save to deny Ben Willis, but could do nothing to stop Joel Palmer's powerful drive flying in off the post after 80 minutes. Both sides created openings in the closing minutes but Chatham held on to deservedly claim a place in the third round.

Barking & East Ham Utd: Tucker, Murat, Taylor, Willis, Woodards, Wood, Bruce, Braham (Palmer 54), Haughton, Vaughan (Henry 54), Lenahan.

Scorers: Lenahan 4, Palmer 80.

Chatham: Green, Boyle, D.Larkin, A.Larkin, Bourne, Best, Binks, Solly, Denness (Brooks 72), Cass, Finn (Long 45 (Amadi 90)). Lyons, Walker.

Scorers: Cass 13, 67 Long 65.