Dartford 3 Chatham Town 1 - Binks: I thought it was a cracking game of football

Saturday 15th April 2006

DARTFORD 3
Richard Avery 20
Brendon Cass 34, 54 (pen)



CHATHAM TOWN 1
Luke Harvey 63


Stephen McCartney reports from Stonebridge Road
Southern League Division One East

Former Chatham Town striker Brendon Cass netted a brace against his former club as Dartford maintained their play-off aspirations at a wet Stonebridge Road today.

Dartford are just one point behind Wivenhoe Town, who are in that final play-off berth, with three “cup finals” left to play.

Cass who scored 19 goals for Chatham Town before his switch to the Darts in January, took his tally up to five with the Darts.

Dartford opened the scoring after 20 minutes from their first corner of the game. Ryan Briggs’ right-footed corner was met by an unmarked Richard Avery, who planted his header over goalkeeper Louis Green and into the roof of the net from four-yards to score his fourth goal of the season.

But after a cagy opening, in front of 369 fans that were fully entertained, Chatham almost broke the deadlock after 12 minutes when former Gillingham youngster Hicham Akhazzan was denied by a flying save from Kevin Hudson, who tipped the 25-yard volley around the left post.

Hudson pulled off his second fine save when he tipped over Darren Smith’s 20-yard drive from the left hand side of the box.

Chatham’s impressive winger Byron Walker floated a shot past the left post after 29 minutes, following a move involving strikers Luke Harvey and Rob Denness.

Dartford then escaped a goalmouth scramble following Chatham’s sixth corner of the game, taken by former Tonbridge Angels’ midfielder Smith.

But Chatham, who were enjoying a good spell, went close again when Akhazzan cut in from the right into the penalty area but Walker, sliding in at the far post, couldn’t get the touch to poke the ball home.

Dartford, however, grabbed a second goal - against the run of play - eleven minutes before half time when skipper Steve Best’s poor header back to his goalkeeper was latched onto by Cass, and after taking the ball around the blonde haired stopper slotted home into an empty net.

Dartford midfielder Ted Ansell was the first player to be booked on the stroke of half-time for tripping Walker on the edge of the box. After the tricky winger received lengthy treatment Smith’s right-footed free kick struck the wall and went out for their seventh corner of the game.

But Dartford increased their lead nine minutes into the second half when Cass scored his second goal of the game, sending Green the wrong way from the penalty spot after David Martin was tripped by substitute Mark Austin-Brooks.

Moments later, after bursting down the left with his trademark run, Martin tested Green with a low drive from 20-yards.

Chatham pulled a goal back through Luke Harvey’s fourth goal of the season in the 63rd minute when he was left unmarked to head home Smith’s corner - their eleventh of the game - from six yards.

But from their first corner of the second half, Dartford almost added a fourth but Brad Potter’s glancing header at the far post went just wide from Hayes’ delivery.

Hayes’ left-footed cross from the right was knocked down by Cass for Martin, whose 18-yard drive took a deflection as it flashed past the far post.

Good passing from the Medway side gave them a good chance after 77 minutes when Mark Austin-Brooks’ cross from the right was volleyed wide by captain Best.

Briggs’ ball over the top was missed by the Chatham goalkeeper, presenting a chance for Martin. However, the former Slade Green winger’s low centre went behind Cass but substitute Steve Hafner ghosted in at the far post but his fierce drive struck Matthew Bourne and Chatham survived.

Both sides had chances at the death. Martin shot straight at Green after weaving his way through Chatham’s defence and at the other end Hudson made a low save from substitute Thomas Davey’s shot from eight-yards.

“I’m delighted with the result,” said Darts boss Tony Burman. “Before the game we knew we had to win regardless of yesterday’s result (Wivenhoe Town beating Waltham Forest 2-0).

“The players were up for it and I think they’ve done tremendously well, worked their socks off and I thought we thoroughly deserved the victory.”

He was, however, pleased his side defeated their local rivals for the first time at the third attempt.

“We didn’t take Chatham likely,” said Burman. “They’ve beaten us twice this year and their a good side full of experienced players and we knew no way it was going to be easy at all.

“But we managed to get the goals at the right time because Chatham came at us a little bit in the first half and possibly should have scored themselves, which could have changed the game.

“But we’ve had a little bit of good fortune but that’s been missing of late in that run we’ve had before and luck always turns round and we had a little bit of luck today.”

Chatham Town manager Steve Binks admitted he was pleased with his players performance - but not the result.

“I thought it was a really cracking game of football,” he said. “If there was any neutrals here I think they must have enjoyed a blood and thunder entertaining game.”

Binks thought his side deserved more from their impressive display.

“I think having conceded the first goal we showed a lot of character,” he praised. “We played some really good football, created two or three good chances, their goalkeeper made a couple excellent saves at 1-1.

“The second goal just before half-time was a killer goal because we’ve played some good football and had a good spell in the game and that was a real blow to concede the second.

“But I can’t fault the players’ attitude. I think they worked their socks off and played some good football.

“I thought we were the better footballing side for much of the game - the difference was they took their chances and we didn’t!”

Man-of-the-match Cass though was pleased his side bagged all three points and wasn’t concerned that he took his Dartford tally up to five, scoring against his former club.

“Obviously I’m delighted to score two goals today regardless whose it against,” said the 22-year-old former Tonbridge Angels’ striker.

“But no against my old club it doesn’t make any difference to me. I’m just pleased to get the three points.”

Cass added: “It’s difficult to come to a new club, getting to know the players but I’ve settled in fairly well. A bit disappointed with the amount of goals I’ve scored.”

* On Sunday we shall bring you previews of Easter Monday’s matches between Enfield-Dartford and the local derby at Maidstone Road between Chatham Town and Sittingbourne.

The Brickies, who lost 4-0 at home to Aveley today, need one win to maintain their Southern League status or hope Ilford lose at home to Barking & East Ham United on Monday. Steve Lovell’s side are just one place above the drop zone with three games remaining.


Dartford: Kevin Hudson, Tommy Olson, Tommy Osborne (Capt), Anthony Henry, Richard Avery, Ryan Hayes (Steve Hafner 73), Ryan Briggs, Ted Ansell, Brendon Cass (Glen Billenness 89) Brad Potter, David Martin.
Subs: Craig Maguire, Dan Westerman, Jim Simpson.


Chatham Town: Louis Green, Tom Binks, Andrew Boyle, Steven Best (Capt), Matthew Bourne, Steve Searle, Hicham Akhazzan (Thomas Davey 56), Darren Smith, Luke Harvey, Robert Denness (James Lyons 82), Byron Walker (Mark Austin-Brooks 45)
Subs: Phil Miles.


Attendance: 369
Referee: Mr Ian Crouch (New Eltham)
Assistants: Mr Ian Fissenden (Gravesend) & Mr Mike Rogers (Rainham)


OUR NEXT LIVE COVERAGE
Easter Monday, 17th April 2006
Ramsgate v Dover Athletic
Ryman League Division One
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate



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