Chatham Town 4-0 Cheshunt - We've had a good start - but it's only a start!, says Keith Levett

CHATHAM TOWN  4-0  CHESHUNT
Ryman  League Division One North
Saturday 27^th August 2011
Mike Green reports from Maidstone Road

CHATHAM TOWN made it three wins out of three after a comfortable and at times exhilarating 4-0 win over Cheshunt. 

As the final whistle blew a bright rainbow was seen across the Medway skies with its end seemingly close to the Maidstone Road Sports Ground as Kevin Watson's side sit proudly on top the early season Ryman North table with the division's only 100 per cent record (and one of just six in the entire Ryman League).

Two first half goals from Matt Newman and a thunderous strike from winger Gary Tilley before a fourth in stoppage time completed a fine win for the Chats, although the game was somewhat over shadowed by a freak injury to Cheshunt keeper Glen Williamson on the stroke of half time. 

Back pedalling, the keeper did well to catch a cross but as he fell backwards, his head crashed into the Maidstone Road turf and for a few moments the keeper remained motionless.  But after receiving treatment from Chats physio Deana Twyman, Williamson was helped to the side of the pitch where clearly dazed and distressed, the keeper’s treatment continued until the local paramedics arrived, and the luckless keeper was taken to the Medway Maritime Hospital.
 
After the game, Chats assistant manager Keith Levett expressed the clubs concerns for Williamson.  He said, "It was an awkward incident - he's obviously mistimed collecting the ball into him - to be fair to the lad he didn't drop the ball despite the misjudgement. It’s a shame what happened to him as let’s face it on another day nothing happens and he catches it. He obviously landed awkwardly and he really was hurt and we obviously wish him all the best."

Reflecting on his side’s great performance, the former Sevenoaks Town manager said, "I think that for the first 35 minutes we were very good indeed, but we would have liked to have gone on after half time.  We told them after the game that if we keep our focus and play the way that we want to we will go on and win games by a lot more.  And the good sides will do that and we've got to make sure that we don't fall into the same trap when we come up against a good side down the road and the we've got to keep going the way we are. 

“We won’t be complacent - we know that we've stated well but it is just a start!  If we are to make sure that we go the way that we want to go as a group of lads we have to be consistent and that will only come from hard work. 

“We need to make sure that we are working hard and then we will get results that we deserve through hard work."
 
The Chats were first to show and opened the scoring on nine minutes when Newman raced onto a great through flick from Joe Fuller before drilling beyond Williamson from the edge of the box. 

It was two nine minutes later.  Adam Marsh this time took advantage of another brilliant flick from Fuller to race into the box before his run was unceremoniously ended by Williamson, who was booked for the foul, before Newman added to the keepers misery by slamming the penalty beyond him and into the net.
 
Two behind the visitors had to up the tempo and only a brilliant tackle from Kes Metitiri denied Kevin Ashwood just as the Cheshunt striker had managed to create a chance for himself out of nothing.  The ball was cleared up field and Fuller was within a whisker of making it three as his curling shot didn't quite curl enough as it shaved the outside of the left post.
 
Levett had special praise for Metitiri, who was making a belated debut for the club.  "We've been pleased with Kes and Chris (Hill) all pre-season and it was just a shame that Kes got injured which was unfortunate for him as he would have started all season and he's come in today and done really well.

“Chris was fantastic today and as a pair they really do look solid so we've got to be happy with that central area as they've done really well and now they've taken the pre-season form into the league.   They've both got good leadership qualities and we want that to continue."
 
The home side did make it three on 29 minutes with an early contender for Goal of the Season. 

Again Fuller was involved - this time the Chats number nine flicked on keeper Adam Molloy's long clearance to Tilley and his first time dipping volley from 25 yards flew past Williamson like a missile into the Cheshunt net.
 
Chris Davis then brought the best out of Williamson from 25 yards with a shot which extended to the keeper to a fine full length save, before a couple of minutes from half time, came the keepers injury after he did well initially to hang onto Marsh's cross.
 
Joe Wright replaced the unfortunate Williamson at half time, and within minutes Matt Solly brought out a fine tip over from the new keeper with a rasping drive that was tipped over the bar.
 
As the home side seemingly relaxed, Cheshunt came into the game and Ashwood again found himself in a good position before this time being denied by Ryan Lakers excellent interception. 

Fuller was then denied a deserved goal when released by Newman, his first time shot bounced off the top of the goals left angle.
 
Chats keeper Molloy produced a fine save on 71 minutes to deny Sam Ruff's shot, and the keeper was relieved when Ryan Wade's follow up header flew over the bar, whilst at the other end Wright did well to tip over sub John Pilbeam's cross shot, before on 86 minutes Pilbeam again went close when he broke clear only to see his shot go fractionally wide of the left post.  Tilley then sent a free kick just wide, before the home side finally got the goal that they deserved.
 
Hill fed Tilley down the left.  His deep cross to the far post was nodded back across goal by Pilbeam only for the unfortunate Adam Kingston to slice the ball into the net as he tried to clear the ball.  Whether or not the ball would have crossed the line is debatable, but the goal confirmed a fine performance by the Chats.

Assistant boss Levett was keen to keep his sides feet on the ground ahead of Bank Holiday Monday's trip to Tilbury, (3pm). 

"We want another win on Monday," he said.  "We will respect Tilbury - I hear that they're a bit of a strong side so it promises to be quite a battle I think but we'll try and do what we do and be positive and take what we've done so far into the game - we won’t be complacent and hopefully we'll get the result again like we have done today!"

Chatham Town:  Adam Molloy, Chris Davies, Ryan Laker, Lee Hales (Jack Jeffrey 46), Chris Hill, Kes Metitiri, Gary Tilley, Matt Solly, Joe Fuller, Matt Newman (Charlie Gylde 59), Adam Marsh (John Pilbeam 69).
Subs: Jason Barton, Tony Kessell

Goals:  Matt Newman 9. 18 (pen), Gary Tilley 28, John Pilbeam 90

Booked:  Joe Fuller 67

Cheshunt:  Glen Williamson (Joe Wright 43), Richard Ashie (Josh Hutchinson 46), Dan Roles, Sam Ruff, Matt Turpin, Chris Sargeant, Adam Kingston, Matt Thompsen, Kevin Ashwood (Charlie Moxom 64), Ryan Wade, Sam Byles.
Sub:  Graham Dearie
 
Booked: Glen Williamson 18, Ryan Wade 32, Matt Thomson 34, Sam Byles 62, Charlie Moxom 79, Sam Ruff 89
 
Attendance: 112
Referee: Mr Ryan Ellis (Burgess Hill, West Sussex)
Assistants: Mr Michael Marsh (Herne Bay) & Mr Richard Joss (Margate)