Chatham Town eased to three points against bottom of the table Potters Bar Town without really ever getting out of first gear – and they didn’t really have to! 

The home side went into the game on the back of a fine Isuzu FA Trophy win over Plymouth Parkway whilst the visitors arrived after a free weekend as their game with Welling United was cancelled. 

Kian Moynes had an early chance for the Chats whilst the visitors showed intention early on with long balls launched forward aimed at Femi Akinwande who was a presence who for a while caused the Chats problems and keeper Nathan Harvey was grateful to fall on a couple of balls, whilst Damary Anyadike fired wide when he really should have hit the target. 

Slowly, the Chats managed to get a foot hold and were the only side playing football – twice Adam Leathers was denied and a shot from Sam Sene-Richardson was well held by keeper Fred Burbidge. 

The Chats took the lead just before the half hour as Leathers got on the end of super passing interchange to curl home a stunner into the top corner.

The goal seemed to knock any resistance out of the visitors they had previously shown, and Richardson was within an inch of doubling the lead as his shot clipped the post. 

The home side doubled their lead just before the break as Richardson drilled a cross from the right and Matty MacArthur arrived late to steer the ball home. 

Any hope that the visitors had disappeared just after the break when MacArthur’s free kick from an acute angle totally deceived Burbidge who will have been disappointed to have conceded. 

Leathers drilled into the side netting from Richardson’s ball, and quite how the Chats didn’t extend their lead as chances came and went – from some good approach play along with very poor defending – was almost beyond belief. 

Substitute Ben Allen had the clearest chance, but keeper Burbidge just held on as time ticked by as the game meandered towards the clear and obvious conclusion of three points for the home side. 

Indeed, the clearest chance that the visitors created arrived in stoppage time, but sub Will Oduwa fired high and wide. 

CHATHAM TOWN – Harvey, Evans (Cooper), Aidoo, Robins, Butler, Nelson, Moynes, Richardson (Allen), Leathers (Christmas), Fadahunsi (Burgin), Macarthur (Giles).

POTTERS BAR TOWN – Burbidge, Adjei-Hersey (Oduwa), Payne, Kpohomouh, Kpekawa, Howard (Jabali-Phillips), Anyadike (Kyei), Re (Brown-Johnson), Hutchinson, Akinwande (Adams), Lobjolt.

REFEREE – Mr. Burgess