Chatham Town sealed their play-off spot with a victory over fellow Kent side Folkestone Invicta this afternoon, as their attention now turns to the Velocity Cup Final on Wednesday against Hashtag United.

The game took a while to get going and the first half chance of the game came in the 14^th minute when Reece Butler on the left wing saw his cross into the area find Eze Ebozoeme, his side foot effort from ten yards went just past the post.

Folkestone were causing a few problems for the Chats defence through former Chatham player Eddie Allsopp’s free kicks. In the 26^th minute Chatham had another chance when Jamie Mascoll running forward from halfway saw his 20-yard shot go past the post.

In the 42^nd minute Jordi Robins went into the area, his cross was knocked down for Kareem Isiaka and from five yards his shot was superbly saved by Kai McKenzie-Lyle but a minute later Chatham scored when Jamie Yila on the left cut inside, his shot from 15 yards was only pushed out to Harvey Bradbury who reacted first and stabbed the ball home from two yards.

Half time arrived and Kevin Hake would have probably had to have a few words with his team as they looked lethargic while Andy Drury would want his side to be more positive.

The second half took a while to get going and in the 56^th minute Folkestone nearly equalised when Will Moses tried his luck from 25- yards but it went just wide. Then four minutes later Chatham doubled their lead when Isiaka in the area passed inside to Simon Cooper who on his own fired in from ten yards.

This seemed to be game over as Chatham controlled the game without causing any problems then in the 82^nd minute Robins saw his 25-yard shot pushed around the post for a corner.

Folkestone against the run of play nearly got a consolation goal when again another former Chatham player Seidou Sanogo picked the ball up on halfway, drove forward leaving the Chatham defenders behind. From 25-yards his powerful shot came back off the cross bar, the final whistle went and the relief around the stadium was palpable as Chatham Town had finally got over the line and were in the play-offs.

        Chatham Town:

1. B.Bridle-Card    3. J.Mascoll   4. J.Robins  5. R.Butler  6. D.Beckwith (59)  9. D.Kedwell  10. E.Ebozoeme

11.  J.Yila (70)  15. S Cooper   16. K.Isiaka  17. H.Bradbury (45)

Subs Used:  12. R.Libard (45)  18. S.Nelson (59)   19. H.Broad (70)

Subs Not Used:  14. J.Dunne  20. C.Dickson

Bookings: 6. D.Beckwith (31)  5. R.Butler (84)  15. S.Cooper 90+1)  90+1 Kevin Hake

       Folkestone Invicta:

1.  K.Mckenzie-Lyle  3. M.Kedman Jnr   4. I.Gayle  5. C.Davies  6. J.Fregene  7. D.Rance 

8.  E.Allsopp (68)  9. T.Derry (72)  14. W.Moses  16. J.Ababio  19. L.Collins

Subs Used:  11. S.Sanogo (68)  10. D.Smith (72)

Subs Not Used:  2. C.Sessegnon  12. T.Byron  17. J.Colman

Bookings:  5. C.Davies (58)  7. D.Rance (90+1)

Referee: Mr K.Dempster

Assistants:  Mr N.Garside  & Mr M.Hewson

Att: 1807

Image courtesy of Chatham Town