METROPOLITAN POLICE 1 CHATHAM TOWN 3

This game was as good as over inside the opening 20 minutes.

It could have been so different. After only five minutes, Chatham Town defender Raymond Powell was very lucky to escape with just a yellow card following a deliberate over-the-ball tackle on Blues midfielder Rob Smith. Police central defender Nickey Humphrey then fell awkwardly after 10 minutes in the Chatham Town goal area challenging goal keeper Dean Ruddy for a high ball, and left the field with a suspected fractured arm and dislocated elbow.

A catastrophe for Humphrey, who has only been back playing for four weeks after breaking his foot in the first game of the season.

Seven minutes later, a mistake by Police keeper Mo Maan allowed Chatham striker Brendon Cass to drive the ball home from an acute angle.

Minutes later, Police concentration lapsed again allowing Matt Solly to find the back of the net with a 24-yard free-kick.

James Greenaway could have pulled one back on 40 minutes but his header hit the cross bar.

On the stroke of half-time Gary Drewett for the home side and Chatham’s Ben Payne were both sent off for violent conduct.

Into the second half and Chatham Town packed their area with at least 10 players defending their goal.

Police striker Laurent Hamici made a good attacking move beating two defenders only for his 20-yard shot to be well saved by Dean Ruddy the Chatham goal keeper.

Midfielder Nathan Simpson also had a good movement up field finishing with an 18-yard effort, also well saved.

Ruddy on 65 minutes made a rare mistake leaving him stranded outside his goal area.

Craig Brown crossed to Hamici but somehow his shot was blocked on the line be a back-peddling defender.

Five minutes later and a rare Chatham Town venture up field allowed Steffan Gaisie at his second attempt to drive home the third goal from three yards.

The Police to their credit never gave up the chase and a great solo run from Brown was finished in style on 70 minutes with an 18-yard drive into the roof of the Chatham goal.

Well into stoppage time and Greenaway with an eight-yard header was just inches over the bar. For Police manager Jim Cooper, now with three central defenders out injured, along with a couple of midfielders who failed their fitness test prior to kick-off, it will be a worrying period.

ATTENDANCE 75

NEXT GAME

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 (3PM): ASHFORD TOWN (KENT) V METROPOLITAN POLICE, RYMAN DIVISION ONE SOUTH