Chatham Town 0 Enfield Town 2

In front of Chatham's biggest crowd of the season, it was the visitors who came out on top in the battle of the Town's, writes Neil Sanders.

With both the Larkin brothers missing from the defence, skipper Steve Best dropped back into the centre whilst Matt Bourne moved across to left back.

 

For the second week in a row Chats conceded an early goal.  A corner from the left was not cleared and Enfield Town defender Paul Campbell found the ball at his feet on the six yard line, from where he slid the ball past Kevin Fewell. 

They nearly increased the lead five minutes later when a low cross from Niall Ritchie flew across the six yard box, but no attackers were able to apply the final touch. 

 

However, they didn't have to wait too long for the second goal. A moments hesitation cost Chatham, as Bryan Hammatt supplied the finish through a crowd of players. 

Chats must have felt a bit hard done by as Hammatt had clearly elbowed Andy Boyle in an aerial challenge a few moments earlier.

Chatham's best chance of the half came in stoppage time when a good run by Byron Walker looked like leading to a first goal for the returning Simon Austin. Unfortunately a challenge in the nick of time prevented him from finishing off the cross.

 

The second half was a pretty quiet affair with bookings for each side being the only entries in the referee's notebook.

Chatham had a couple of opportunities from free kicks in dangerous positions, but weren't able to really test Mark Cousins in the Enfield Town goal. 

Luke Harvey had their best chance of the match when a neat flick from Byron Walker sent him clear. However, the shot flew just over the bar.

Mark Negus went close for the visitors with a curling right foot effort which also just cleared the woodwork.

 

Chatham will probably be a bit disappointed not to have taken any points from their two games with Enfield Town this season, especially after they had dominated so much of the away game back in October.

Next Saturday they are back on their travels with a trip to Arlesey Town who currently lie one place above them in the league.

 

Chatham Town:  Fewell, Binks, Bourne, Boyle, Best, Lyons, Brooks (Akhazzan 78), Smith, Harvey, Austin (Whitnall 74), B.Walker.  Subs: Mortimore, Miles