Chatteris Town crash to opening day defeat after conceding inside a minute

CHATTERIS Town began their Kershaw Premier League season by conceding a goal inside the first minute during a 2-0 home defeat to Over Sports last night.

Without first-choice centre-back pairing Stu Porter (work) and Tony Brown (illness) the Lilies struggled to deal with last season’s runners-up direct approach.

First-half goals from Wayne Goddard and Matthew John Green were enough to consign Steve Taylor’s outfit to defeat.

Taylor said: “It was a dreadful start and from that point we were always chasing the game.

“We looked vulnerable in the air all night and the first goal was given away far too easily. We just couldn’t deal with balls into the box and Over quickly realised that.

“You’re always going to notice it when your two centre-backs - the best headers of a ball in our side - are missing. They take the pressure off our ‘keeper Ben Collett, who didn’t have the best of games without them in front of him.

“We ended up having to put two small lads at centre-back (Simon Howard and Jonny Brierley) who don’t usually play there and we struggled.”

The defeat came days after the Lilies had clinched the Mick North & Barry Brewer Memorial Cup to cap off a fine pre-season.

Brown’s goal helped Chatteris draw 1-1 with Littleport Town before the Lilies held their nerve to triumph 5-4 on penalties.

Taylor will be without Porter and Brown for Saturday’s home game with Eaton Socon (kick-off 3pm) but may have them back for Tuesday’s derby with Littleport Town at West Street (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Lilies boss added: “We had a very good pre-season so the start is frustrating.

“We gave Over too much respect and were very flat so I’m looking for a big reaction on Saturday.”