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Chatham had to fight hard and come back from
a two goal deficit to preserve their unbeaten home league record, and
their visitors from Essex showed why they are now unbeaten in seven
games, writes Neil Sanders.
Wivenhoe took the lead in the 4th minute
with Sean Hillier heading home at the far post from a corner. They
were lucky not to lose keeper Ollie Sanders to a red card after half an
hour, as he appeared to elbow Rob Denness after clearing from
outside the 18 yard area.
Things got worse for Chatham shortly afterwards when it became 2-0. Andy Boyle was adjudged to have fouled Simon Thomas in the box, and was then shown a yellow card as he pointed out that he had actually made contact with the ball first. Paul Hillier gave Louis Green no chance from the spot.
Chats thought they had pulled a goal back
just before half time, when a header from Denness looked to have
crossed the line. However the officials looked at each other and decided
it had not. Denness did not have to wait much longer though, to
get on the scoresheet. A minute after the interval, Steve Best
played a through ball behind the Wivenhoe defence and Denness held off a
challenge before slotting home.
Chatham then put the pressure on and
went close to equalising twice in two minutes soon after the hour
mark. Substitute Jason Long - a recent signing from Ashford Town -
thumped a 30 yarder just past the post and Matt Solly's curling shot was
saved after Mark Brooks and Issy Amadi had combined well on the right.
They eventually levelled the scores with seven minutes left thanks to the second penalty of the game, when Paul Hillier was penalised for handball. With regular penalty taker Brendan Cass missing through injury, young midfielder Matt Solly stepped up and calmly tucked away the spot kick.
A well fought draw in the end and another
example of the old saying "if they're good enough, they're old
enough". Goals from teenagers Denness and Solly, and yet
another assured performance at the back from Matt Bourne.
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Chatham Town: Green, Binks, D.Larkin,
Boyle, Bourne, Best (A.Larkin 86), Solly, Brooks, Denness (Long 52),
Amadi, Finn (Billenness 45). Subs: Lyons, Fewell.
Wivenhoe Town: Sanders, Shepherd (Boyce
45 (Sterling 90)), Wake, Mabvura, Wignall, Martin, Pond, Townrow,
Thomas, S.Hillier, P.Hillier. Subs: Rymer, Westren, Taylor.
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