On This Day – 4th May
On This Day – 4th May – 2019
SCEFL Premier Division
Chatham Town 3-2 Corinthian
Chatham came from two goals down to win the Challenge Cup final on this day in 2019.
It means James Collins’ team have done the cup ‘double’ after lifting the Kent Senior Trophy last month.
Corinthian appeared on course to bounce back from the disappointment of losing out on the league title in the final week of the season – but Chatham had other ideas.
With their wind in their favour in the first half, Corinthian took full advantage. They were quicker to the loose balls in midfield, Luke Tanner proved a useful focal point to their attack and Oscar Housego added the creativity.
Chances were at a premium before Corinthian took a 23rd-minute lead. A neat move down the left saw the ball worked inside for Jamie Billings, whose low shot was deflected high beyond keeper Dan Ellis by Chats defender Corey Walters-Wright.
Corinthian doubled their lead six minutes before the break when Conor Johnson drove home from close range.
Chatham got themselves back into the contest on the stroke of half-time, leading marksman Paul Vines turning the ball in from close range after good work down the left by Michael Hagan.
Lifted by the goal and with their wind in their favour during the second half, Chatham started brightly and put Corinthian under pressure. They were rewarded on 56 minutes when Hagan nipped in to slot home the equaliser.
A good block by Jack Holland denied Vines as Chats continued to dominate, while Kameron Gyeabour’s near-post effort was saved at the other end in a rare Corinthian attack.
Chatham went ahead with 17 minutes left. Substitute Marcus Evans’ close-range effort was blocked on the line but Richard Avery turned home the loose ball despite the best efforts of keeper Aidan Prall.
Matt Bodkin nearly added a fourth for Chatham in the 89th minute but his 40-yard effort went just wide of the upright after Prall slipped.
Corinthian: Prall, Holland, Jack Billings, Jamie Billings, Healey, Bath, Gyeabour (Gilbert 72mins), McKinlay (Milton 80mins), Tanner, Housego, Johnson (Ita 50mins). Subs not used: Campbell, Brown.
Chatham: Ellis, Grant, Parsons, Butler, Avery, Walters-Wright (M Evans 46mins), Carnegie, J Evans (Fitzgerald 74mins), Vines, Bodkin, Hagan (Pilbeam 80mins). Subs not used: Fray, Walker.
Attendance: 345.
On This Day – 4th May – 2018
Hospitals Charity Cup Final
SC Thamesmead 3-0 Phoenix Sports Reserves
SC Thamesmead lifted the Hospitals Charity Cup after a 3-0 win against Phoenix Sports Reserves at Park View Road.
The first half was an uninspiring stalemate but Thamesmead smashed the deadlock through a cross-come-shot from right-back Elliott Johnson in the 50th minute.
Josh Patrick then scored twice to take his goalscoring total for the season to an impressive 49 goals as Lee Hill put a piece of silverware in the trophy cabinet in his final game as ‘Acre’ boss.
On This Day – 4th May – 2013
FA Vase Final
Spennymoor Town 2-1 Tunbridge Wells
A year before the SCEFL replaced the Kent League, Tunbridge Wells were visiting Wembley for an FA Vase final date with Spennymoor Town.
Over 12,000 fans were backing Wells under the arch but their boys were starting the game as massive underdogs, against a side who had won the Northern League for the previous three seasons.
Wells were a goal behind at the break after striker Gavin Cogdon headed home after 17 minutes.
With 12 to play Josh Stanford levelled for Wells but Keith Graydon restored Spennymoor’s lead almost instantly.
In the dying minutes Martin Larkin’s side pushed for a second equaliser but Spennymoor did enough to ensure it was their name going on the Vase.
Tunbridge Wells had played seven games to reach the final and their run included a win over last season’s Vase winners Dunston UTS.