Chatham Town 2 Sittingbourne 3

Match 86/16/1393 - Monday, 6th February 2017 - Ryman South

Chatham Town (0) 2 Gallacher 85,90+2
Sittingbourne (2) 3 Akhazzan 2, Wright 33, Richardson 60
Attendance: 162

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 32/6,053

Match Report

Chatham Town now look a team desperately in need of snookers if they are to avoid relegation. Despite an unlikely comeback attempt in the last five minutes, defeat against neighbours Sittingbourne leaves them eight points adrift of Guernsey with perhaps their best hope being that the Channel Islanders decide not to continue in Ryman South next season.

The Chats need of points was a lot greater than that of their visitors but they got off to the worst possible start conceding within two minutes. A long throw was poorly cleared to the feet of the evergreen Hicham Akhazzan who struck low and hard into the centre of the goal.

About the only Chatham player to catch the eye in a dismal first half for the hosts was Ryan Flack who created a chance for Darren Marsden to drag wide and then sent in a rasping drive that narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Sittingbourne doubled their advantage in the 32 minute when a cross from the left was ineffectually slapped away by goalkeeper Alex Hyde to Stefan Wright who drove his shot into the bottom corner.

Chats manager, Paul Piggott made a double substitution at the break bringing on Kyron Lightfoot and Jordan Gallacher and, in fairness, the home side did improve after the break.

The third Sittingbourne goal on the hour probably best exemplifies why Chatham will be relegated this season. A corner from the right by Akhazzan was swung into the centre of the six yard box where Jono Richardson climbed the highest to head home. It was all too easy.

The game appeared to be drifting to its expected conclusion when Flack swung in a corner for Gallacher to steer his header into the far corner for a consolation goal.

Two minutes into time added, that consolation was added to when Chatham's skipper George Benner knocked down a cross for Gallacher to shoot home.

Unfortunately for Chatham, the sands of time quickly ran out and those same sands are winding down their time in Ryman South.

If Chatham have thoughts that they can go down to the Southern Counties East and return to the Ryman a year later stronger for the experience they have to look no further than Whitstable, who are not going to emerge from their first season or, slightly longer term, Erith and Belvedere who show no sign of promotion back after three seasons.