Dartford 1-3 Chatham Town

Tuesday 10th April 2007

Chatham Town saved one of their best performances of the season for their first visit to Dartford’s new Princes Park Stadium yesterday, writes Neil Sanders.

With injuries still causing disruption, Sam Groombridge played a holding midfield role and defender James Holder filled in up front, both to great effect. Ex-Chat Brendon Cass once again got on the scoresheet against his old club when he slotted home neatly to give Dartford a 12^th minute lead.

However, within a minute Chats were level. James Lyons, who scored the only goal of the game to beat Godalming Town on Saturday to move five points clear of the drop zone, battled well in the corner to win possession and lay the ball back for Mark Brooks to turn inside and find the net via a slight deflection.

Chatham took the lead after 24 minutes thanks to an accurate diagonal cross from Shane Suter which was chested down and superbly finished by stand in centre forward Holder.

Tom Binks hooked a goalbound header off the line and Chats had a good shout for a penalty seconds before half time when Richard Avery appeared to use an arm to cut out a cross.

However, Avery didn’t get away with what appeared to be a deliberate handball in the 64^th minute.

Suter did well out on the left wing and produced an excellent cross to the far post which Holder looked certain to head home, until Avery jumped in front of him with an outstretched arm.

The Dartford defender was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch. Tony Kessell got a hand to Darren Smith’s penalty, but was unable to keep it out.

Dartford looked more dangerous in the closing minutes with Steve Hafner and Ryan Hayes attacking down the wings but a combination of Danny Larkin, Rob Goodger and keeper John Whitehouse dealt admirably with all the high balls coming into the box.

Binks and Bradley King also made some good tackles to restrict the number of crosses.

This was well deserved win, thanks to a hard working team performance as well as some really decent football.

Everyone did their bit and showed a great desire to get the points, which virtually guarantee safety.

Any neutrals could have been forgiven for thinking that it was the team in blue who were pushing for a play off place.

Chatham Town: Whitehouse, Binks, King, Larkin, Goodger, Groombridge, Smith, Brooks, Holder (Phillips 81), Lyons, Suter (James 76).
Subs: Best, Winter-Nolan.