Kingstonian 1-0 Chatham Town

Chatham Town looked somewhat out of sorts in the first half as Kingstonian applied most of the pressure, writes Neil Sanders.

Tom Binks was in the right place to clear a header off the line in the 12th minute and keeper John Whitehouse, clearing still feeling the effects of a kick on the knee in midweek, did well to block out Scott Corbett a minute later.

For the second time in a fortnight, a Chatham player got the last touch for the only goal of the game, at the wrong end.

This time Mark Brooks was the unlucky player as the ball glanced off his head as he attempted to intercept a near post cross from Dean Lodge after 21 minutes.

The introduction of Rob Denness after 37 minutes seemed to spark the Chats into life and he came closest to getting an equaliser before half time, with a blocked shot and a header shortly before the break.

Luke Harvey latched on to a quick free kick from Darren Smith in the first minute of the 2nd half, but saw Luke Garrard save well in front of him.

Chatham were now looking more solid at the back with Andy Boyle and Rob Goodger strong in the middle and Steve Best providing the cover in front of them, although they did have assistance from the crossbar to keep out a lob from Daniel Morris.

Brooks and new signing Jack Roberts kept their opposing numbers on the back foot out wide whilst Darren Smith was able to support the front two.

Chatham's best chances came in the closing minutes. A 25 yard free kick from Smith forced the best save of the match and another long range effort from sub Jim Lyons forced a fumble which Denness almost punished.

With the pressure they exerted in the second half, Chats will be disappointed not to have taken a point from this game, although in truth their opponents should have made more of their superiority in the first half.

Chatham Town: Whitehouse, Binks, Boyle, Larkin (Akhazzan 79), Goodger, Best (Lyons 73) , Smith, Brooks, Harvey, Pulman (Denness 37). Subs: Douglas, Winter-Nolan.

Attendance 264.