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Chatham Town 4 Guernsey 1 match report

George Humber scored a hat-trick as Chatham beat Guernsey 4-1 in new boss Kevin Horlock's first home game in charge.

Chats trailed to a Ross Allen goal at Maidstone Road as their goal drought ticked past the four-hour mark but Humber drew them level almost immediately.

He scored twice more after the interval, either side of a Joe Bingham strike, as Guernsey were handed another hammering in Kent just four days after their 5-2 defeat at Folkestone.

George Humber scored three of Chatham's four goals against Guernsey Picture: Steve Crispe
George Humber scored three of Chatham's four goals against Guernsey Picture: Steve Crispe

Austin Gacheru started for Chatham, having rejoined the club prior to the game, while another new signing, Ehis Izokun, was named among the substitutes.

Gacheru looked lively in the opening exchanges, heading wide from a Richard Davies cross and then poking the ball into the net after good work by Humber - only to be flagged offside on both occasions.

At the other end, Allen found himself with a clear sight of goal but a brilliant saving tackle by Corey Holder denied him.

Gacheru lashed a shot well wide from 35 yards and then had another effort blocked when Kieron McCann's left-wing cross dropped at his feet 12 yards out.

Davies then whipped over an inviting cross from the right and McCann's header flashed wide of the far post.

Guernsey responded, Allen forcing a good save from goalkeeper Ryan Nicholls, although Chatham looked bright and Bingham's cross flashed right through the box before Chris Tardif back-pedalled to keep out McCann's looping header.

Nicholls got down well to shovel another Allen shot behind for a corner although he was beaten by the striker's next effort on 38 minutes.

Allen latched onto Angus Mackay's pass and guided a precise shot across Nicholls into the far corner of the net.

The home side trailed for just two minutes, however, Humber rounding Tardif and rolling in the equaliser.

Chatham finished the first half on top and Davies took a free-kick from 25 yards which, via a deflection, ended up in Tardif's gloves.

But the Green Lions emerged after the interval with a spring in their step and Tom Strawbridge rifled a shot just over before Tom De La Mare went close from similar distance.

It was all Guernsey, with the Chats struggling to get out of their half, and Allen almost scored a spectacular second goal when his bicycle kick was saved by Nicholls.

The visitors kept probing and Nicholls saved again when De La Mare got his head to a dinked Jamie Dodd cross from the left-hand side.

Chatham came close to taking the lead against the run of play when Tardif rushed out of goal and was beaten to the ball by McCann. His low cross picked out Gacheru in the centre but Tardif did brilliantly to get back and scramble Gacheru's effort off the line.

Within a minute, though, Chats did hit the front when McCann crossed from the left and Humber showed good desire at the near post to plant a header into the net.

At this point, Guernsey capitulated, conceding twice more in as many minutes.

Bingham was allowed far too much time to control Humber's pass inside the box and he punished the sleeping defenders by finding the bottom corner for 3-1.

Barely had play restarted than Tardif pulled off a good save only to see Humber lash home the rebound to complete his treble.

That settled the contest and Guernsey looked well beaten although substitute Ryan-Zico Black did see a low shot deflect wide with Nicholls wrong-footed in the Chatham goal.

Matt Loaring throught he'd pulled a goal back for the visitors at the death when his curling shot seemed destined for the top corner but Nicholls flung himself high to his right and pulled off a terrific save.

Chatham: Nicholls, Davies (Sullivan 90mins), Loft, Osei, Knight, Holder, Humber (Blackwood 74mins), Ofosu-Hene, Gacheru (Izokun 84mins), Bingham, McCann. Subs not used: Edwards, Hibbert.

Guernsey: Tardif, Geall (Winch 71mins), Dodd, Steel, Strawbridge, Mackay (Black 71mins), De La Mare, Fernandez (Pereira 79mins), Heaume, Allen, Loaring.

Attendance: 100.

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