Chatham Town 1-2 Gillingham - The trophy cabinet hasn't been opened for so long, says Kevin Watson

CHATHAM TOWN  1-2  GILLINGHAM
Pre-Season Friendly – 130^th Anniversary Trophy
Sunday 22^nd July 2012
Stephen McCartney reports from Maidstone Road

CHATHAM TOWN celebrated winning the 130^th Anniversary Trophy on goal difference – but they were defeated by their League Two neighbours Gillingham in the final game.

Chatham Town, Royal Engineers and Gillingham all won one game each, but Chatham’s opening 5-1 win over Royal Engineers proved to be decisive for Kevin Watson’s Ryman League side.

Gillingham had suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to the 1875 FA Cup winners Royal Engineers, but they immediately bounced back to defeat Chatham Town, who had made ten changes from the opening game.

Charlie Webster and Alex Brown had scored in the first half to give Gillingham’s youngsters the advantage, before Chatham Town pulled a goal back through striker Stephen Okoh.

Chatham Town kick-off their Ryman League Division One North campaign at home to Waltham Abbey on 18 August, but Watson was pleased with the two work-outs today.

“I think there was a lot of positives,” he said.  “It was another chance to see players’ fitness levels and players we haven’t seen a lot off and yes, as a whole, it was another run-out.

“Like I said previously, it’s good to have two 60 minutes at this stage, for people to play 60 minutes.

“We’re starting to get the first team and reserve team squads training together as a whole.  This week both squads have been mixed up and it’s good for me to see some of the reserve players who are going to be involved this season because we’re planning not to having a huge first team squad and we need to know what players can come in if needed.”

Gillingham’s youth development coach Mark Patterson also took the positives out of the tournament.

He said: “We had a squad of nineteen players with us today, so they all had a good run out. They all had at least 45 minutes, I think it was. We made a few changes because that first game was hard. It was nice and warm out there for them to run round so we made a few changes.

“There were some good performances out there. Again we created a couple of chances against Chatham. They’ve got some experienced players in there who are trying to get into Chatham’s first team so they’re going hell for leather for it as well, so for us it was good for our young lads to play because these players play on a Saturday where it means something.  They’re playing for points and jobs and things so it’s important we had a go at them.”

Chatham midfielder Lee Hales played in striker Harry Smith for an early chance but despite opening up his body, all he could do was sweep a right-footed shot straight at Gillingham keeper Darren Hawkes.

A shot on the turn from Gillingham striker Ben May was comfortably saved by Chatham’s keeper Ollie Dewey.

An excellent cross from Smith gave Chatham a seventh minute chance, but Okoh powered his header over after using his strength to out-jump his marker.

Chances came and went for both sides, with Brown flashing a shot across the Chatham keeper and past the post, before Hawkes made a flying save to turn Hales’ right-footed drive from 30-yards around the post.

Gillingham drew first blood, however, by taking a 20^th minute lead.

Webster showed his talent when he sprinted past three struggling Chatham defenders before firing a low right-footed shot past Dewey to find the bottom left-hand corner.

Patterson said: “He did well. He got in a good area and he toe poked it home. He probably should’ve scored a few minutes later but he wasn’t expecting the ball to come across.

“He’s very bright. It’s nice to see him taking his chances well.”

Chatham Town went close when Tony Green swung in a corner and Smith sent a towering header sailing wide.

But Gillingham doubled their lead, with the last kick of the first half.

Brown produced some quality when he went on a 30-yard run with the ball before slipping a left-footed drive across the keeper to find the bottom right-hand corner from 15-yards.

Patterson said: “He picked it up and ran through the middle of the pitch.  That’s what Alex is good at, picking the ball up and running at people.  He was disappointed after the first game. He felt he was off the pace and he seemed he couldn’t get into the game. 

“He looked bright and right on half-time to put us 2-0 up that was a nice way for him to finish off his afternoon’s work because we know he can do that and that’s what we encourage him to do, running with the ball and take people on and he showed he can do that.”

Chatham Town’s sensed their hold on their trophy was under threat and they were grateful to substitute keeper Aaron Crosby, who came off his line to make a fine block to deny Webster, who was played in by Kane Haysman, who went on a mazy run towards the edge of the Chatham box.

Rodrigue Ndiane – who started both games for Chatham Town – stung Hawkes fingertips when he cracked a right-footed angled drive from 25-yards inside the opening seven minutes of the second half.

Chatham substitute keeper Crosby then made a fine block to his right after Alfie Coates cracked a left-footed volley towards goal.

Chatham pulled a goal back with six minutes remaining when the impressive Smith swept a fine pass in behind the Gillingham defence to put Okoh through on goal and the striker kept his composure to score a fine goal, placing a right-footed shot across Hawkes to find the bottom far corner.

Watson said: “It’s good to see players like that at the club who can progress and push for a first team place.”

Patterson added: “It was a good crossfield ball and he got across the full-back. A better starting position from Joe (Carter), the full-back, would’ve probably cut it out.”

Chatham almost snatched a late equaliser but Hawkes used his legs to block Okoh after the striker used his strength to muscle his way into the Gillingham box.

At the end of the contest, Chatham Town skipper Jack Jeffrey went up to take the silverware off Kent FA chairman Barry Bright.

Watson said: “We’ve just had a joke in the bar.   The trophy cabinet hasn’t been opened for so long.  They’re going to say there will be a new one!

“Yes, it’s always nice to win something like that. It would’ve been good if we had won two games outright.”

Patterson added: “For us, it’s about developing the players. It’s not necessarily about winning the Cups, but we came here to try to win it because that’s what it’s all about, although we never quite did it.

“It’s been a very positive day for us. We learnt a lot about our players, learnt a lot about the future.  Some have been playing youth football and it’s the first time that they have played against men. Some of them found it harder than before and some of them have come through with flying colours.

“Positives?  Definitely Charlie Webster’s performance overall. He’s done really well. He’s a good prospect. There’s plenty of things to work on him but he’s taking players on, putting good crosses in. It’s encouraging.”

Watson added: “It’s difficult because we’ve got lads who haven’t played before. We’ve got some young lads in there.  Harry (Smith) done very well, the forward.

“Everybody can get something out of those games, whether it’s fitness or the chance to impress so it was pleasing.

“The idea was to put two teams out today for players to get 60 minutes.  Some people got slightly less and they’ve been missing pre-season.  Some people got 90 minutes on Thursday so they didn’t play as much today.  For all those reasons it was a good exercise.”

Chatham Town: Ollie Dewey (Aaron Crosby 31), Ryan Laker, Tony Green (Sam Musundi 40), Lee Hales, Charlie Nisbet, Kes Metitri, Jack Jeffrey (Jordan Mctigue 36), Steve Prescott (Daniel Ottley 31), Harry Smith, Rodrigue Ndiane, Stephen Okoh.

Goal:  Stephen Okoh 54

Gillingham:  Darren Hawkes, Dan Parkinson (Joe Carter 31), Josh Hare (Ollie Lee 31), Tom Brunt (Josh Maughan 31), Frankie Beale, Charlie Webster (George Humber 55), Kane Haysman (Dan Parkinson 55), Alex Brown (Aiden Blanchard 31), George Humber (Jack Parter 31), Aaron Millbank (Alfie Coates 31), Ben May (Josh Stanton 31).

Goals: Charlie Webster 20, Alex Brown 30

Attendance: 135
Referee: Mr Chris Myatt (Dartford)
Assistants: Mr Valentine Anekewe (Bromley) & Mr Tim Burman (Greenhithe)