Although Erith Town matched Chatham Town for the first forty five minutes, the visitors came out strongly in the second half and had the ammunition to retain their place as league leaders.

After the match, Erith manager gave his views. “I’m a little bit disappointed to be fair.” he said “I think they’re the best team in the league by a country mile. They were arguing with each other come the end of the first half at two all and I don’t think that’s because they’ve played badly, I think it’s because we’ve played really well.

“We’ve nullified what their threats are. Jack Evans is a big threat. I don’t think that he really had a sniff today. Dan Bradshaw, he’s bundled one over the line.”

Looking into the game in more detail, Woodward continued “If I analyse each goal, the first goal’s a decent strike, the second one’s a worldy from outside the box. If you look at the goals in the second half, Ryan Hayes direct from a corner, which I think to be fair you’re looking at the keeper but it’s come in at some force. The last one I think hit him and the keeper should have done better and I don’t think it’s a pen (penalty) that’s my honest truth. I think it’s a foul outside the box. I don’t think they’ve scored a goal where they’ve cut us open.”

As far as his own side was concerned, he added “If you look at our side again, we’re down to bare bones. Tom Ash has played again at centre half at sixteen years and I thought he’s done exceptionally even though he’s let in six. Young Alfie (Eldridge), sixteen years old, and obviously you’ve got young JP (James Przeslawski) who’s eighteen who has come on as well.

“I think we looked dangerous in parts and other than the goalkeeper picking the ball out of the back of the net six times, he hasn’t had to make a save which I think is a credit to the way we’ve played. I think it (the scoreline) flattered them a bit but it is what it is in football. If you make mistakes, that’s what happens and if you’ve got players of quality they’re going to score goals”

For the first time this season there are no midweek fixtures. Woodward is delighted and said “We can train! It’s our first training session of the season. We haven’t been able to train this season because of what’s been going on with game after game so it will be nice to get on the training field.”

Images courtesy of Dave Budden