Chatham Town 0-0 Leatherhead

CHATHAM TOWN 0-0 LEATHERHEAD
Saturday 10^th November 2007
Ryman League Division One South
Neil Sanders reports from Maidstone Road

Chatham Town boss Phil Miles handed new signing Andy Constable his debut during the goal-less draw against Leatherhead.

Constable was signed on the eve of this Ryman League Division One South match following his departure from Kent League side Tunbridge Wells.

It was difficult to know what to expect from opponents Leatherhead after several changes to their playing and management squad in recent weeks.

Matt Solly had the first chance of the game when his lob from outside the 18 yard box cleared Leatherhead keeper Aaron France, but not the defender covering on the goal line.

The visitors’ first attack resulted in a corner from which Ian Hendry won the header but saw the ball bounce in front of goal and over the crossbar.

Darren Smith tested France with a thundering 30 yard free kick, but the keeper managed to get fingertips to it and deflect it onto the bar.

The same two players were involved soon afterwards, this time a first time shot by Smith, from a Mark Brooks cross, was tipped over the bar.

Leatherhead’s best effort of the first half came from Scott Forrester when he broke clear on the left after fired across the six- yard box, forcing Danny Larkin to hack clear under pressure.

The second half was largely a stalemate with both sides rarely threatening.

Former Bromley, Sevenoaks Town and Whitstable Town striker Constable forced another good save from France with a header which looked to be heading for the bottom corner until the keeper somehow clawed it out.

At the other end John Whitehouse had a very quiet afternoon. The one time he looked to be beaten was from a solid drive by Forrester, but the ball thumped the far post before being cleared.

Chatham Town entertain Folkestone Invicta in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday evening, before going on their travels to Whyteleafe next Saturday and Walton Casuals the following Tuesday.

Chatham Town: Whitehouse, Binks, Davey, Solly, Larkin, Best, Smith, Suter (Brooks 29), Schulz, Constable, Govey. Subs: Groombridge, Tedder, Oravec