Tope Fadahunsi scored the only goal as Chatham Town took the derby honours in a midweek Isthmian League Premier Division match at Welling United.

Chances were few and far between until the game but it was the promotion chasing Chats that had the lions share of them against the relegation threatened hosts.

Kasim Aidoo created an early opportunity for the visitors when he whipped in a corner that Welling goalkeeper Freddie Norman struggled to punch away. It looped up and Fadahunsi headed it over from close range. Aidoo then got on the end of a long clearance by goalkeeper Henry Molyneux and his rasping drive was tipped round the post brilliantly by Norman.

There were no further clear cut chances until five minutes before half time when Kian Moynes was pushed over in the eighteen yard box by Olu Oluwatimilehin and a penalty was awarded. Moynes stepped up and hit it low and hard towards the bottom corner but Norman guessed correctly and pulled off a brilliant save.

Seven minutes after the break, Chatham scored the crucial goal. Kofi Anokye-Boadi crossed and  Fadahunsi’s header was tipped onto the bar by Norman. It came back out to the Chats’ hit-man and he bundled it home from close range.

John Ufuah, playing in an unaccustomed loan striker role, was almost rewarded for his tireless running when his snap-shot went inches wide of the near post with Molyneux an onlooker. After that, both teams huffed and puffed but with no real end product as the defences swallowed everything that came their way. 

As the game moved into stoppage time, Chatham missed a great opportunity to seal the contest when Fadahunsi created an opening for substitute Ben Allen who fired over the bar from close range. Kian Garlange had one last effort with a shot that was well saved by Norman but Chatham weren’t made to pay and consolidated their place in the play-off places.

Welling United: Norman; Savane, Majoyegbe, Arthur. Walker; Thomas, Oluwatimilehin, Reynolds; Ebuzoeme (Addy 74), Paxman; Ufuah.

Subs not used: Simmons, Williams-Bushell, Apat, Currie.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Savane (45+2 delay of restart),  Oluwatimilehin (48 dissent), Norman (90+5)

Chatham Town: Molyneux; Evans, Nelson, Butler, Aidoo (Cooper 76); Leathers (Garlinge 78), Robins; Moynes (Chambers 59), Sene-Richardson (Giles 90+3), Anokye-Boadi (Allen 81): Fadahunsi.

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Fadahunsi (52)

Yellow cards: Evans (42 foul), Aidoo (45+4 foul)

Referee: Craig Wood

Assistants: Dan Boulden and Ashley Diamond

Attendance: 674

Pictures supplied by Chris Zimmerman.