Two ambitious teams played out a pulsating local derby when Chatham Town hosted Welling United in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Following a goal-less first half, the home team edged the encounter by the odd goal in five in a match played in powerful winds and heavy rain.

It was the Chats who had the first goal attempt when Tolu Ladapo flicked it goalwards and Mackenzie Foley made a reaction save. Then, at the other end, Fumnaya Shomotun shot wide of the near post. Ryan Blackman was off target with a low free kick before a Zak O’Keefe header was blocked out to Jamie Reynolds and his thirty yard effort whistled past the far post.

Making his Welling debut, Kevin Rivera was given an opportunity by a Chatham defensive lapse and his first touch sent him clear. His second touch was too heavy, though, allowing goalkeeper Nathan Harvey to race out and smother it.

Just before half time, Jack Lyons struck a Chatham free kick well wide.

Early in the second period, a Rivera header floated past the post then Blackman blasted high over.

One minute after the hour mark, Chatham went ahead. Brad Stevenson was given too much space when taking a short corner and receiving it back from Adam Leathers, and he shot low towards the near post. Blackman attempted to clear it but could only deflect it over Foley who looked to have had it covered.

Four minutes later, the home team scored again. A free kick was allowed to bounce in the Welling penalty area and Kola Salami pounced to slam it home.

Searching for a quick response Blackman delivered a free kick to the far post, Chris Harris headed back across goal and Lekan Majoyegbe’s volley clattered the crossbar. Then, at the other end, Salami went round Foley but, being off balance and with the angle against him, he sliced wide of the near post.

Twenty minutes remained when Demaray Anyadike pulled one back with a fierce thirty yard strike that flew in off the underside of the crossbar. Five minutes later, Chatham restored their two goal lead when Lyons was given space and his drive was deflected past a helpless Foley.

Again, Welling didn’t let their heads drop. Substitute Sam Smith delivered, the Chats couldn’t clear, and O’Keefe forced it home.

Another Smith free kick found Majoyegbe whose header flew over before Stevenson shot wide of the near post. Then, in the ninth minute of stoppage time, Welling had one last opportunity when awarded a free kick on the right hand side. Smith struck it towards the far post but couldn’t get enough bend on it and it went just past the upright.

Whilst the Wings remain in second place in the table, victory for Chatham took them to within six points of them, having played one game fewer.

Chatham Town: Harvey; Hobden (Turner 79), Nelson, Giles, Olagbodi; Leathers; Lyons (Tambe 89), Garlinge, Folarin (Stevenson 46), Lapado (Dunbar-Bonne 87); Salami (Gibbs 82). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorer: Blackman own goal (61), Salami (65), Lyons (74)
Yellow cards: Folarin (17 foul), Nelson (58 foul), Stevenson (72 foul), Salami (81 foul), Giles (84 foul), Harvey (90+3 delay of restart), Dunbar-Bonnie (90+7 delay of restart)

Welling United: Foley; O’Keefe, Majoyegbe, Cooper, Arthur; Blackman (Miller-Rodney 71), Reynolds (Smith 66); Anyadike (Otseh-Taiwo 90+1), Rivera (Bennett 75), Shomotun (Melvin-Lambert 66); Harris. Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Anyadike (69), O’Keefe (82)
Yellow cards: O’Keefe (10 foul), Arthurs (45 foul)

Referee: Kane Dempster
Assistants: Benjamin Marshall and Amarachi Okamgba

Attendance: 925

Image courtesy of Steve Blunn