Chatham Town ended their regular season with victory in what turned out to be a typical end of season clash with Lewes at the Bauvill Stadium.

With the play-offs already confirmed following last week’s 6-0 rout of Potters Bar, manager Kevin Hake made wholesale changes to the starting line-up (in fact all eleven). Giving some of the fringe squad members some minutes on the pitch, and more importantly, resting the first team regulars in preparation for the week ahead.

The Chats faithful amongst the 3000 plus crowd turned up in party mood, and the team did not disappoint. Taking the lead early on following a lightning start.

With already a couple of half chances in the opening exchanges, Kian Garlinge went on a great fourth minute run down the right wing. His ball into the box found Nile Ranger whose exquisite touch fed Ben Allen to finish with aplomb from close range, giving Louis Rogers in the Lewes goal no chance.

This finally woke the visitors from their end of season slumber. First, a cross/shot from the dangerous Ryan Bernal on the right tested Chats custodian Henry Molyneux, showing safe hands in gathering the ball. Then from a Garlinge foul on Parish Muirhead on the edge of the box. Devonte West curled the resulting set piece towards the right side of the goal; however, his goal bound effort was brilliantly turned aside by Molynuex.

With Lewes enjoying more of the ball without any major threat, it was Chatham from a quick break who had a chance to double their lead, but Elliott Wenham’s 25-yard effort cleared the bar.

As the opening half drew to a close, Kofi Anokye-Boadi got onto the end of an Ollie Evans cross, following a slick interchange with Ben Allen on the left, but his looping effort went straight at Rogers.

The second period started just as the first for the home side, doubling their lead on 48 minutes. A good Matty Macarthur run on the right flank won a corner for the Chats. The resulting corner found Nile Ranger at the back post, and his close-range header was too powerful for Rogers, who despite getting a hand to the ball, could not stop it from hitting the back of the net.

Lewes now upped the tempo and started to create some opportunities for themselves. Dominic Budgen’s fierce effort across the face of the goal was caught by Molyneux, whilst on the hour Molynuex excelled again. This time with an outstretched save to deny Bobby Unwin’s left footed curling shot. Down the other end, Junior Dixon and Ben Allen combined well, and the ball into the box rebounded to Simon Cooper, whose header was straight at Rogers.

As the half wore on, Hake introduced academy graduates Isaac Hadlow, Clarance Tambe and Will Samways. Hadlow soon impressed with a great run from the left into the box, but his shot lacked power and was easily claimed by Rogers. Lewes finally got a deserved late consolation four minutes from time. A short corner found Bobby Unwin who curled a wonderful shot in off the far post giving Molyneux no chance.

At the final whistle the home support celebrated the efforts of the team this season. From the FA Cup adventures, making it to the first Round, and the record FA Trophy run to the last 16, to reaching the Isthmian Premier play-offs for the second time in three years.

So, Chatham go into the play-off with three Essex sides awaiting them. On Wednesday night they face a tough test when they travel to Billericay in the Semi-final. Should they succeed it’ll be onto Bank Holiday Monday (4th May) for the final, either away at Aveley or at home to Brentwood (who meet in the other semi-final).

Chatham Town – Molyneux, Evans, Nelson (Hadlow), Garlinge (Garlinge), Cooper, Anokye-Boadi, Wenham, Allen (Samways), Macarthur (Tambe), Ranger (Dixon), Tanner

Lewes – Rogers, Bernal (Bernal), Paye, Richardson (Booth (Watson)), Allen, Budgen (Walker), West, Unwin, Hamstead, Enkh, Muirhead (Christian-Law)

Referee – Mr Carlisle

Attendance – 3018