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Chatham Town 3 Wingate & Finchley 1: Report from Isthmian Premier Division match at the Bauvill Stadium

Freddie Sears was the hat-trick hero for Chatham Town as they got back to winning ways on Saturday.

The former West Ham and Ipswich striker continued his impressive season for Chats as he showed his deadly finishing in a comeback win.

Freddie Sears bagged a hat-trick for Chatham Town on Saturday Picture: @shotbytxm
Freddie Sears bagged a hat-trick for Chatham Town on Saturday Picture: @shotbytxm

Chats went into the game off the back of three successive defeats in the Isthmian Premier Division and found themselves a goal down early on against visitors Wingate & Finchley.

Ipswich loanee Ayyuba Jambang made his debut for Chats at right-back while there was also a first start for recent arrival Lewis Chambers, making way in the second half for another new signing, Josh Chambers.

Both goalkeepers made important blocks early on to keep the scores level but after 15 minutes the visitors, who were eight without a win before the match, found the back of the net.

Wingate didn’t look like a team on a poor run of form as Jaiden Drake-Thomas slotted home against a Chatham side struggling to find top gear.

Seven minutes after conceding, Chats were back on level terms as a clearance that was closed down bounced nicely for Sears who smashed the ball home past keeper Charlie Grainger.

Wingate continued to threaten in the rest of the half with Zack Newton having a goal disallowed for off-side. The same player also forced Chats keeper Joe Wright into a good save low down after forcing his way through.

Isthmian Premier Division table

Chatham wide-man John Ufuah showed his turn of pace just before the break with a run down the flank that ended with a shot across goal that narrowly missed the target.

The pace of Ufuah was to prove pivotal in the turnaround during the second half.

Chatham responded immediately to a few choice words at half-time. Just a minute after the restart a run and cross from Ufuah was turned home by Sears to put the home side ahead.

The same move produced Chatham’s third goal on 73 minutes, with Ufuah again beating his man for pace and providing a cross for Sears, who finished with a shot into the roof of the net.

It was Sears’ second treble of the season after bagging a hat-trick against Cray Wanderers back in October.

Chatham’s two-goal advantage meant they could take their foot off the gas. Sears and Jamie Yila were both replaced, with Josh Chambers already on the pitch after swapping places with namesake Lewis.

Wingate’s Ayo Tanimowo proved a bit of a handful late on but Chatham keeper Wright made one stop on the line and the 3-1 lead remained intact at the final whistle.

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