Chatham Town 1-2 AFC Sudbury. Miles: We wasn't at the races - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

CHATHAM TOWN 1-2 AFC SUDBURY
Saturday 7^th September 2006
FA Trophy (Sponsored by Carlsberg) Preliminary Round
Stephen McCartney reports from Maidstone Road

Chatham Town manager Phil Miles criticised his side’s first half performance, which ultimately eliminated his side from the FA Trophy at the first hurdle.

Despite holding AFC Sudbury to a goal-less first half, the Suffolk side, who have lost just once this season, broke the deadlock after just 26 seconds into the second half when Luke Hammond scored his first goal of the season.

And Neil Calver’s dramatic injury time winner sealed the Suffolk’s side victory and a home tie against Kingstonian in the next round, after Chatham born striker Rob Denness’ second goal of the season brought the Medway side back on level terms with nineteen minutes remaining.

Chatham went into the game without Danny Larkin and Ian Pulman, who were both attending weddings and Ross Finn is facing going under the knife for a knee operation.

And Jack Roberts, whose on loan from Nationwide Conference neighbours Gravesend & Northfleet, was refused permission to play.

Miles handed slender winger Tyrone James, who played for Tooting & Mitcham United last season, his debut.

AFC Sudbury, who reached three successive FA Vase finals from 2003, almost opened the scoring after just 41 seconds but Hammonds' right-footed drive from the edge of the box thumped against the underside of the crossbar.

Chatham, meanwhile, created a half chance soon after when Andy Boyle came up from his defensive duties to head Darren Smith’s near post corner wide.

But for the rest of the half it was one way traffic as Sudbury stamped their authority on the game.

Goalkeeper John Whitehouse made a comfortable save from Andrew Claydon, whose left-footed drive from 20-yards was straight at the highly-rated former Tunbridge Wells stopper.

Sudbury, roared on by a small but vocal travelling contingent, went close again after 19 minutes but Chris Howlett looped a header across goal following Paul Betson’s far post free-kick.

Backpedding Whitehouse was, however, alert three minutes later, tipping Betson’s dipping corner over his bar.

Another chance came the visitors way after 33 minutes when Terry Rayner’s cross from the right was met by Calver, but the blonde glanced his header wide.

Chatham created their next chance after 39 minutes when Denness’ shot from eight-yards, following Smith’s cross, rolled into Nathan Munson’s grateful arms.

But Sudbury should have broken the deadlock with the last kick of the first half but Howlett’s shot from close range crashed against the left post after Betson’s corner was flicked on by Calver.

But Sudbury deservedly opened the scoring after just 26 seconds into the second half.

Hammond drilled a low 30-yard shot in off the foot of the right post to the delight of their travelling fans.

The opening goal, however, sparked life into Chatham and shots from Steve Best and James sailed over Munson’s bar.

Whitehouse pulled off a fine save on the hour mark when he tipped Tommy Noble’s far post header over the bar following Betson‘s corner. Essex referee Mr West, however, awarded a goal-kick.

Smith’s looping cross was punched out by Munson and the ball fell to Chatham substitute James Lyons, whose lob dropped just over.

But Chatham clawed their way back into the game with nineteen minutes remaining when Denness met Lyons’ cross from the right with a glancing header which dropped into the bottom far corner.

Whitehouse made another fine save within a minute when he clawed out Hammond’s header.

Substitute Luke Medley, formerly of Barnet, had a couple of excellent chances to grab Chatham the lead.

Firstly, his left-footed 20-yard drive flashed past the left post but his best chance came with five minutes remaining.

Latching onto a long pass, he sprinted into the penalty area. He was, however, forced wide by Munson, who was beaten at his near post, but Howlett was congratulated by his team-mates for hacking the ball off the line.

Chatham applied late pressure with Smith, Luke Harvey and Rob Goodger firing in shots on goal, but they were dealt a major blow inside stoppage time when Calver looped a header over Whitehouse from close range, scoring his third goal of the season, to wrap up a deserved win.

Chatham Town boss Phil Miles was, however, disappointed to go out at the first hurdle.

“Especially to a goal in the last minute,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I felt it was a foul on the goalkeeper,” he bemoaned. “Nine times out of ten referee’s give them.

“To be fair John (Whitehoue) said he was pulled down and I take John’s word for that.

“I felt we didn’t make enough fuss. We didn’t appeal for the free kick. I thought it was a foul on the goalkeeper but it’s just the way things are going for us at the moment.

“That is just us. We’ve just have to get through what’s happening at the moment and keep believing things are going to get better for us.”

Chatham failed to get to grips with AFC Sudbury’s strength and reputation during the first half. When they did, however, during the second half, the Medway side played better.

“I told the boys before the game and told all the papers I’ve spoken to in the week that I knew it was a tough game,” admitted Miles.

“I knew Sudbury would be very strong, physical and organised and they were. They didn’t disappoint us at all. They were as good as I thought they were going to be.”

Reflecting on their poor first half showing, Miles said: “We just wasn’t at the races. We wasn’t sharp enough or quick enough, didn’t make enough tackles, didn’t get close enough to them.

“They hit the crossbar after 30 seconds, that still didn’t wake us up. We looked like we just wanted to see the first half out and against a team like Sudbury you can’t do it.

“They were a good footballing side, they are strong. I felt they were a very good side today and we didn’t compete first half but second half was 100 times better.

“The commitment was there (second half). We had chances, had one off the line. I pushed one (more) up front, played three at the back and seemed to cause them more trouble second half.

“We didn’t give them too much respect. I just felt we didn’t turn up for the first half.

“I would have taken a draw, we go down there Tuesday night, but not to be.”