Chatham Town 0 Bedford Town 2

Chatham showed their intention to take on their Premier Division opponents with some good early attacks in the Errea Cup quarter final on Tuesday night, writes Neil Sanders.A good build up on the right in the 6th minute, opened a gap for Andy Larkin to set up Steve Best, whose curling shot was well saved.

Bedford's first meaningful attack came on a quick break after 16 minutes. Kevin Fewell did well in the end to hold the shot from Rene Howe. Fewell was called into action again soon afterwards when he tipped over a goalbound shot from Rob Miller.

Chatham were more than holding their own throughout the first half and created the best move of the first period, when good work from Hicham Akhazzan on the left, found Danny Larkin sprinting into the area. Unfortunately his shot flew just the wrong side of the post.

Chatham did find the back of the net after 35 minutes but Akhazzan was adjudged offside as he finished a good move involving  Binks, Brooks and Denness.

It was noticeable throughout the first half, how often the Premier Division team were being forced to just hack the ball away into touch, thanks to hard work and good pressure by Chatham.

Chats continued to push after the break and created further chances for Akhazzan and Denness, both being saved by visiting keeper Ian Brown.

Somewhat against the run of play Bedford took the lead after 54 minutes. As the chats defence were organising their wall, Carl Williams took it quickly and found the bottom corner with a curling shot.

They doubled the lead after 67 minutes when a cross from the left was met with an excellent header from James Hatch, giving Fewell no chance.

To their credit Chatham kept pushing to the finish and nearly got a consolation in the last minute.

A strong run out of defence by Matt Bourne gave Andy Larkin the chance to test Ian Brown. The Bedford keeper pulled off the save of the match as the ball was heading for the top corner. 

Chatham may be disapointed to be out of the cup, but to be the last Eastern Division team involved and put on a good display like this against Premier Division promotion candidates should give them confidence for the rest of the league season.

Chatham Town: Fewell, Binks, D.Larkin, Boyle, Bourne, Best, A.Larkin, Brooks, Akhazzan (Harvey 67), Denness (Momoh), Botteril (B.Walker 76).Subs: Billenness, Mortimore.