Top three clash at West Street sees seven goals shared

Cambs Kershaw Senior A

Chatteris Town 4 Milton 3

There was hardly a moment to catch your breath in this game, writes Dan Mason.

Two of the top-three clashed at West Street, and they failed to disappoint as the seven goals shared truly reflected the highly attacking nature of this contest.

If it wasn’t for defensive mix-ups, this could have been a foregone conclusion for Town, but the quality and awareness of their opponents was not to be ignored.

After an accomplished finish from Gary Smith following neat build-up play inside three minutes, Milton reacted quickest. Isaac Smith was the beneficiary of a loose ball after Stuart Porter failed to clear the aerial threat, before evading goalkeeper Jordan Packi’s dive to deny him.

Town’s Smith then regained the slender advantage, doubling his tally with a finessed effort via the aid of a post, while extending their lead through captain Simon Howard’s towering header from the former’s corner.

Home boss Alex Kaufman believed Milton looked the more threatening after the break, their dominance perhaps stemming from a Dominic Mould tap-in on the stroke of half-time to alter their host’s mindset.

Chances were wasted and penalty claims waived away, before controversy struck when Ben Wilkanowski’s close-range equaliser was initially ruled out for offside, but the decision was soon rescinded to give the visitors a platform to build from.

Parity was restored for Town, however.

Ben Matthews went down under a late challenge, and substitute Hugh Stewart stepped up to net the winner from 12 yards in front of the jubilant home supporters to turn a fortunate point into a priceless three and keep pace at the Kershaw Senior A summit.

Lilies: Jordan Packi, Scott Flisher, Stuart Porter, Simon Howard ©, Ash Blanchflower (Mark Samways), Josh Dodman, Jack Saunders, Mark Rayment (sub Hugh Stewart, 61mins), Gary Smith, Ben Matthews, Brandon Ransome (Kenny Kingshott, 90+3).

Goals: Chatteris Town – Smith (3’ and 25’), Howard (45’), Stewart (86’ pen). Milton – Smith (17’), Mould (45’+2), Wilkanowski (73’).

Cautions: Chatteris Town – Howard (foul), Jack Saunders. Referee: Philip Crossland.