Hastings United 2-1 Chatham Town

Chatham Town travelled down to East Sussex through heavy rain on Tuesday evening, uncertain whether the game would be going ahead, with pitch conditions being monitored, writes Neil Sanders.

Fortunes have certainly changed since the 5-1 win over Hastings in October, with both line ups barely recognisable from the first game.

On a soaked pitch and with a depleted squad, Chatham found themselves under pressure early on.

The home side took the lead in the 6^th minute when Ade Olorunda skipped past one tackle and finished with a neat chip over the advancing keeper.

Hastings doubled their lead after 17 minutes. Danny Ellis battled well in the Chatham area and drove the ball across the 6 yard box.

It seemed to get stuck in the mud right in front of goal and Russell Eldridge gratefully slammed the ball home from close range.

Chats keeper, Miroslav Oravec, then made the save of the match to keep out a Sam Adams header on the half hour mark.

Chatham’s first half attacks were few and far between, although both Craig Govey and Rob Denness made some decent runs to win corners.

The visitors came out with renewed determination in the second half and made a good fight of it, earning some praise from the home support in the process.

However, the chance of a comeback took a blow on the hour, when Darren Smith received a straight red card for a late tackle on Adams, although the over reaction of some home players didn’t help matters.

Chatham felt aggrieved two minutes later when a similar tackle by Olorunda on Rob Goodger only received a quiet word.

Chatham’s second half showing deserved some reward and Sam Phillips was inches over the bar from 20 yards, with the home keeper stranded.

They eventually scored a well deserved goal in the final minute when Rob Goodger climbed highest to head home at the far post.

Whyteleafe’s win over Kingstonian the previous evening means Chatham are now 19^th in the Ryman League Division One South table and looking worryingly over their shoulder. This Saturday they entertain Kingstonian at Maidstone Road.