Chatham Town 1-0 Maidstone United - We're deadly serious what we're doing here, insists O'Brien

Tuesday 28th July 2009

CHATHAM TOWN 1-0 MAIDSTONE UNITED
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 28th July 2009
Mike Green reports from Maidstone Road

In the pre season "Battle of Bluebell Hill" it was the side from the top who earned a hard fought one goal victory over their County Town opponents - a result that left both managers with much to ponder.

Chatham Town's new boss Alex O'Brien told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that "we looked at their team and it was full of quality players. I was a little bit worried as Cassy (striker Brendan Cass) is away, but I've got to be happy with the way we matched them tonight and won the battle."

He added: "Since we come here Lew (Watts) and I have tried to install into the players a winning mentality. They said we were taking on a lot and it would be a laugh. mark my words, we're deadly serious bout what we're doing here.

“If we can get a group of players playing the way we want them too then great if not, I'll always be on the look out for players to improve the squad!"

And you know from his playing days, I think he means it!!!

For Maidstone United's Lloyd Hume, already facing an opening day Ryman Premier League game vs Carshalton Athletic without three first choice players, there was little to learn from this fixture although the Stones joint boss didn't seem too upset with the result.

"I've always said that up until this game is for our sorting out -we've now got three games before Carshalton to work on a starting 11!,” Hume told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Big pluses for me so far have been Tom Parkinson, and tonight I thought Ant Bodle was superb at left back.

"If he plays like that the rest of pre season, the full backs shirt his. It was also great to see Lyndon Rowland get through 45 minutes after missing all of last season through injury."

On Rowland's surprise return, Hume continued, "He's been itching to get involved and I though as he's not trained properly, he lasted 45 minutes brilliantly."

The game itself was won by a goal scored either straight from a corner or as near as eight minutes from half time!

Steve Hafner took the flag kick and whipped in a vicious in swinging ball which saw Lee Barnett challenging Stones keeper Jamie Turner and the ball ended up in the net.

Like all good strikers, Barnett claimed the goal, although many at that end of the ground thought the ball had already gone in.

And whilst that was the end oft he scoring, it didn't take any of the passion out of this game, and with some tackles flying in credit must be given to referee Mr Graeme Ions for allowing the game to flow.

A cagey opening saw both sides struggle to come to terms with the surface, before on 15 minutes, Barnett had the first chance of any note, but last season’s top scorer whistled an angled drive over Turners bar.

At the other end, Chats were fortunate to concede when Sam Cutters corner caused chaos in the box as it was allowed to bounce in front of keeper Tony Kessell (on "loan" from Dartford for the night in a bid to get the keeper 90 competitive minutes).

O’Brien later admitted that he would love to bring his old friend and team mate to Maidstone Road, but admitted that "Kess is still very much a Dartford player, but is a keeper who wants to be playing. Tony (Burman) knows this and said we could borrow him tonight and at the moment tonight only.

“But now he's been down here and had a look around, if he does become disillusioned at Princes, he knows he'll have a home here if he wants to come. There's no pressure on Tony - he's a great keeper and a good friend!"

As the game meandered towards half time, Chatham struck with Hander's corner, but then had Ray Powell to thank for the half time lead.

Maidstone trialist Jimmy Bottle sent over a teasing cross from the right, and Powell was just able to reach the bal to clear as Ashley Dann was set to turn the ball into the net.

A series of half time changes for the visitors brought them fresh momentum with the introduction of Danny Stubbs, and it was the former Margate man who, after being up ended by Ashley Proberts sent a free kick just too high with Kessell scrambling.

Another corner on 67 minutes again almost caught the Stones out after keeper Turner turned into an emergency right back to deny Rob Denness. Hafner again swung over the corner, but this time, with the giant keeper back pedalling the ball dropped onto the roof of the net!

The Stones threw everything they had at the home side in the closing minutes but couldn't find a way back into the game.

On 83 minutes, Turner cleared a Chatham corner to Stubbs, and his explosive run took him to the edge of the Chats box. Unselfishly he squared for James Pinnock, but he couldn't keep the shot down and the chance was gone.

They got even closer on 87, when Rowland and the Pinnock again had fierce penalty area drives brilliantly blocked first by Chats skipper Richard Avery and then by Proberts.

In the final minute, Justin Ascheri had the chance to seal the victory but was denied by a magnificent brave save from Turner.

But as the giant keeper launched the ball forward, the final whistle blew and the "Chatham Town Youth Choir" - who really have to concentrate on both their choice of songs and the pitch of their singing - duly celebrated a deserved and hard fought victory.

The Stones now contemplate a visit to Winchester City at the weekend, with Hume stressing that the real hard work will begin in Hampshire!

"We always knew that pre season would be difficult,” admitted Hume. “We haven't worked on set pieces yet and that's where I think we've been most vulnerable this pre season."

On the other hand the Stones boss seemed contented; "Before pre season started I really didn't know if we would have enough players for a full competitive team and squad. Now its a question of how do we fit everyone in as I'm really pleased with our squad."

For O’Brien on the other hand, the new boos at Maidstone Road cannot wait for August 15th.

"I've played most of my career at this level in the South (Ryman One South) and I know that we're facing some big names in non league football in the likes of Dulwich Hamlet and the Met Police and their big budgets,” he said.

“Lew and I have assembled a squad which we feel can do the job, and if people want to talk about us as a team to fear or worry about then I reckon that's a huge compliment," he said smiling broadly.

And in truth you know, O'Brien is fully justified in his optimism - yes there are some big money clubs in that division, but with the fire power that the Chats now have, and the determination of their new management team, I wonder whether the glory times are literally just around the corner from Maidstone Road.

For the Stones, they seem to be in the same position they were this time last year where goals seem to be at a premium. Again though, you can never write them off and sharing the bosses enthusiasm they will be a difficult side to beat - when of course they have a full squad to pick from.

Chatham Town: Tony Kessell, Ray Powell (Tom Binks 60), Ashley Probets, Matt Solly, Richard Avery, Ben Payne, Steve Hafner (Michael Scott 73), Brad Potter (Darryl Hollington 60), Justin Ascheri, Lee Barnett (Rob Denness 50), Mark Green (Jimmy Lyons 60).

Goal: Steve Hafner 37

Maidstone United: Jamie Turner, Nathan Paul, Ashley Ulph, Alan Pouton (Nick Barnes 46), James Peacock (Peter Hawkins 46), Tom Parkinson, Sam Cutter (Dan Stubbs 46), Ant Bodle (Jay Saunders 46), Ashley Dann (James Pinnock 46), Keelan Mooney (Lyndon Rowland 46), Jimmy Bottle.

Attendance: 350
Referee: Mr Graeme Ions (Maidstone)
Assistants: Mr Rob Baker (Maidstone) & Mr Martin Peck (Maidstone)