Chatham scrapped through to the first round Proper with a penalty shoot out victory over Needham Market after a unconvincing performance in the 90 minutes where both sides cancelled each other out as both defences were on top as only a few half chances were created during the game.
The first half was cagey as both sides looked at each other trying to get the upper hand. Needham were probably just the better side. The only real chance of the half came in the twenty first minute when Myles Cowling in the area saw his snap shot go just past the post. Both sides huffed and puffed for the rest of the half.
The second half did have a few more chances in it and in the fifty sixth minute Ollie Evans on the right wing saw his cross find Olusanya Fadshunsi but from six yards his flicked header went wide of the post.
Needham had their best chance in the seventy fourth minute when Seth Chambers running from half way went into the area and from twelve yards saw his shot saved by Nathan Harvey’s legs.
In the eighty first minute Chatham were unlucky not to score as Kofi Anokye-Boadi saw his shot from ten yards saved by James Bradbrook and came out to Jordi Robins whose shot from ten yards was blocked and then cleared off the line.
In the ninetieth minute Needham nearly stole the game when a corner came in and the header goal wards was pushed onto the bar by Harvey and then cleared by Reece Butler. The final whistle went and a penalty shoot out went ahead to determine who would go through.
CHATHAM: NEEDHAM MARKET:
- Fadshunsi Saved 1. C hambers straight down the middle
- Robins Saved 2. Saunders Saved
- Moynes Right hand corner 3. Thompson-Lambe Left hand top corner
- Anokye-Boadi Left hand bottom 4. Hammond Over bar
- Butler Left hand corner 5. Miles Saved
Chatham win three two on Penalties
Chatham Town:
25. N.Harvey 2. O.Evans (75) 3. K.Aidoo (51) 5. R.Butler 8. K.Moynes 10. S.Sene-Richardson 14. A.Leathers (67)
16. L.Chambers (56) 18. S.Oldfield (62) 19. O.Fadahunsi 26. A.Giles
Subs Used: 15. S.Cooper (51) 4. J.Robins (56) 20. K.Anokye-Boadi (62) 12. K.Garlinge (67) 6. S.Nelson (75)
Subs Not Used: All Used
Bookings: 5. R.Butler (31)
Needham Market:
1. J.Bradbrook 2. J.Dye 3. T.Smith 5. K.Morphew 6. D.Morphew 7. L.Ingram (67) 8. O.Saunders (72)
10. J.Neal (67) 12. J.Chukwu-Neotor (45) 15. M.Cowling (77) 17. B.Hunter
Subs Used: 11. R.Miles (45) 9. S.Chambers (67) 19. R. Thompson-Lambe (67) 14. J.Mograth (72) 4. K.Hammomd (77)
Subs Not Used: All Used
Bookings: 12. J.Chukwu-Neotor (29)
Referee: Mr M.Rowling
ASSISTANTS: Mr P.YATES AND Mr E. O’NEILL