Chatham Town 0 Aveley 5

Match 54/14/1163 - Saturday 3rd January 2015 - Ryman North

Chatham Town (0) 0
Aveley (1) 5 Holland 16 Baker 53 Elliott 62, 75 Elbi 70
Att. 143

Entrance: £5
Programme: £2
Mileage: 32/3,872

Match Report

For the first time this winter weather decimated the non-league programme and I was left to search for a game.

As both the Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells games had disappeared from the fixture list before I got out of bed following my night shift, a first look at kentishfootball’s updated fixture list showed very little choice available, but an old favourite fall-back Chatham were still holding out hopes of getting their game on.

When the Game On message appeared on Twitter it was a pleasant surprise as the rain was still tumbling outside of my window. At the ground, I was informed by a local resident that the area sits on chalk, literally a spade’s depth below the surface which always gives the Maidstone Road ground a chance.

In fact, the pitch looked in pretty good shape all things considered and the groundsman can only be congratulated on his efforts, but a couple of hours later he must have wondered why he bothered.

Chatham were unbelievably poor and, once Aveley had ridden some early pressure from the hosts, and a 30 yard effort from Billy Holland nestled in the bottom corner after 16 minutes, they were always in control of the game. Unfortunately, my head was in my phone at the time, taking in a goal for Port Vale against Gillingham.

Chatham responded in sorts and created a couple of chances with Maidstone loanee, Richard Davies, rising above the mediocrity.

The second half was nothing less than a disaster for Chatham as Aveley picked them off almost at will. A poorly defended free kick allowed Junior Baker to head in from close range and five minutes later when a cross from the bye-line was converted with a tap in from Marcus Elliott the game was over.

A bizarre goal on 69 minutes, Chatham goalkeeper Tom Welham’s clearance rebounding off Petrit Elbi and into the net made it four and within five minutes a surging run from Paul Preston created another close range finish for Elliott to complete Aveley’s nap hand.

The most satisfying part of the afternoon was being able to throw a few bob into the collection bucket for Matt Solly who broke and dislocated his ankle at Thurrock the previous week and is unable to work until such times as he is mobile once more. Evidently, Kevin Watson, Chatham’s manager was so disappointed with his team’s performance he ordered that the team’s wages for the match was donated to the fund.