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Chatham assistant manager Lew Watts rolled back the years by playing 90 minutes in Saturday’s Ryman League Division 1 South 3-3 draw at Dulwich.
Watts, pictured, was pressed into service with defender Ben Payne ruled out and manager Alex O’Brien was delighted with his contribution.
"Lew was brilliant," said O’Brien. "He has been doing the coaching so hasn’t trained or played all season. We decided at the start of the season that we wanted to give the coaching side our full attention, so we didn’t intend to play."
Another player to earn praise was forward Brendon Cass, who netted his fifth league goal despite spending long periods off the field with a head injury which later needed six stitches.
"We conceded in the first half when Brendon was off having treatment," said O’Brien. "But I didn’t want to substitute him as he was playing so well."
Chatham took the lead on 18 minutes when Justin Ascheri scored but, with Cass receiving treatment, Dulwich equalised through Ryan James.
Three minutes into the second half, debutant Matt Lovell – who signed from Sittingbourne – curled in a free-kick to put Chats ahead and their lead was extended with 20 minutes left when Cass scored.
However, Dulwich pulled one back within a minute through Tom Lyons and equalised in the final seconds.
Payne is set to return for Tuesday's derby at home to Whitstable, a match which O’Brien described as "massive".