The Angels played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Kent rivals Chatham Town on Saturday, twice coming from behind in the second half. Jon Main made it 1-0 after just four minutes but ex-Angel Darren Smith leveled for the visitor’s midway through the opening half. Player manager Tony Dolby and a rare effort from defender John Beales completed the scoring for the hosts as the Longmead crowd were treated to an exhilarating game.

There were only two changes to the starting eleven that comfortably held Farnborough during midweek – the youth of Mike Cramp and Luke Piscina replacing the experience of Alex O’Brien and Lew Watts. The latter was accompanied on the bench by powerful striker Wade Falana, reserve star Mannie Neville and goalkeeper Mikhail Czanner.

Just like in the three previous pre-season friendlies, the Angels opened the scoring and made a blistering start to the game with Jon Main coolly slotting home after just four minutes. Former Angels and Eastbourne Borough midfielder Darren Smith equalised midway through the first half with a drilled effort from the edge of the area. Aaron Kerr just watched helplessly as the effort sailed into the far corner. The sides were even at the interval.

Our Ryman Division One South opponents went ahead for the first time in the match when Ross Finn found the net one minute after half-time. Player manager Tony Dolby introduced himself to the action on the hour mark and the change paid dividends when he made it two all just moments later direct from a free-kick on the edge of the box. The referee allowed the former Millwall player to take the free-kick whenever he wished and easily stroked the ball into an empty net. With eight minutes remaining, Chatham found themselves in front for the second time in the half. This time, recent recruit from Sittingbourne Adam Douglas got on the end of a Rob Denness corner to head home, despite the goal-line efforts of Jon Heath. There was one last twist in the tale, however, as the Angels grabbed a late equaliser to spare their blushes. A corner from the right hand side picked out defender John Beales who timed his jump to perfection and powered a header into the roof of the net.

The reporter’s Man of the Match was handed to Drew Watkins for a very good display of attacking football.

Report by: Gary Cornwell

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