VCD ATHLETIC 1 CHATHAM TOWN 2

The Vickers bowed out of the Robert Dyas League Cup after going down 2-1 to Chatham Town. Going behind early, they quickly equalised and looked to be getting on top, only to concede a sloppy goal when nobody reacted to a loose ball that was driven home. A determined late rally saw a number of chances come their way, but visiting keeper Ryan Nicholls was in sparkling form making a number of fine saves to deny the hosts a chance of taking the tie to penalties. There were early chances at both ends with Mathias Bakare out–stripping Laurence Collins before firing past a post, while at the other end VCD keeper Rob Budd had to be alert to spread himself at the feet of George Humber as he shot for goal. There was little between the two sides but VCD were caught out by a ball over the defence that reached Andrew Dalhouse, where he rounded Budd before firing into the roof of the net. Adem Ramadan was causing problems down the left, and after a one two with new signing Austin Lipman he saw his low shot well saved by Nicholls. On another run Ramadan was sent sprawling, and from the quickly taken free-kick Austin Lipman took the ball forward before firing powerfully past Nicholls to open his account for the club and level matters. Jack Stevenson picked up a loose ball just inside the Chatham half only to see his effort deceive Nicholls but drop just over the bar. Humber then went close for the visitors before, as the half was drawing to a close, a long ball in was headed away by Ricardo Joseph but nobody reacted, leaving Humber to fire home to restore Chatham’s lead.
At the start of the second half there were chances for both sides with Stevenson going close with a low shot, before at the other end Budd made a superb reaction save to turn Jack Jeffery’s fierce volley over. Charles Ofuso-Hene and Cory Holder both went close for Chatham, and Niko Muir was inches away from heading home a cross from Giannoulis Fakinos. The game was end to end but as the clock ran down the Vickers went for broke and had a number chances to level matters. Muir had Nicholls scrambling with an effort that just cleared the bar, and then Teniola sent in a powerful header that cannoned off Lipman before going wide. In the last minute it looked as the equaliser had come when Paul King rose to send in a point blank header, but Nicholls pulled off a wonderful save to deny him and see Chatham home.

VCD Athletic: Budd, Palmer, Joseph, Graham, King, Bakare (Teniola 75), Ramadan, Lipman, Muir, Stevenson (Wickham 61), Neita (Fakinos 57)

Substitutes not used: Fitzgerald, Tozer

Attendance: 61