Non League Premier – Isthmian · Regular Season – 7
Chatham Town 3-2 Lewes: Stunning Second Half Comeback Seals Dramatic Victory
Chatham Town produced a breathtaking second half comeback to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory over Lewes in the Isthmian Premier Division on Saturday, 12 September 2026. The Chats found themselves in a desperate position heading into the interval, having conceded twice in the dying moments of the first half, but a magnificent three-goal turnaround after the break delivered one of the most memorable home performances of the season so far.
A Gut-Punch First Half
For the majority of the first half, Chatham Town had looked reasonably solid, with the contest appearing to be heading towards a goalless interval. However, the final minutes of the first half proved devastating. Lewes striker C. Walker struck twice in quick succession — first on 44 minutes and then again on the stroke of half-time — to send the visitors into the break with a 2-0 lead and leave the home faithful stunned. It was a cruel end to a half that had promised so much more for the Kent side, and the task ahead looked formidable.
Chatham Roar Back in the Second Half
Whatever was said in the dressing room at half-time clearly had an immediate and galvanising effect. Within two minutes of the restart, Chatham Town were back in the contest. A. Giles got the Chats on the board on 47 minutes, reducing the deficit and injecting an electric atmosphere back into the ground. The goal changed the entire complexion of the match, and Chatham pressed forward with renewed belief and urgency throughout the second half.
The comeback was completed in a stunning two-minute spell late in the game. B. Allen drew Chatham level on 79 minutes, finishing with composure to bring the scores to 2-2 and send the home supporters into raptures. The momentum was firmly with the hosts, and it took just two more minutes for the winner to arrive. H. Lodovica stepped up to deliver the decisive blow on 81 minutes, finishing to put Chatham Town 3-2 ahead and spark jubilant scenes around the ground. The visitors were unable to find a response, and the referee’s final whistle confirmed a remarkable victory for the Chats.
Man of the Match
In a game of such drama and intensity, picking a standout performer was no easy task, but H. Lodovica was the undoubted star of the show. The match-winner’s contribution went beyond the decisive goal on 81 minutes — Lodovica was a constant threat and a driving force in Chatham’s second half resurgence. To score the winning goal in such a high-pressure moment, with the game perfectly balanced at 2-2, spoke volumes about the player’s composure and quality. It was a performance that will live long in the memory of everyone who witnessed it.
What It Means for Chatham Town
The victory moves Chatham Town onto 9 points from 6 matches played in the Isthmian Premier Division, maintaining their place in the upper half of a tightly contested table. The Chats currently sit 12th, level on points with Ramsgate in 11th, and just one point behind Leatherhead in 10th. With the league so congested at this early stage of the season, every win carries enormous weight, and this one — given the manner in which it was achieved — will do wonders for confidence and team spirit. Chatham Town’s supporters will be daring to dream after a second half display that showed real character and quality, and the squad will be eager to build on this momentum when they return to action next weekend.
Match timeline
44′ ⚽ C. Walker- 45′ ⚽ C. Walker
47′ ⚽ A. Giles- 79′ ⚽ B. Allen
- 81′ ⚽ H. Lodovica
Where Chatham Town sit in Non League Premier – Isthmian
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 |  Leatherhead | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +1 | 10 |
| 11 |  Ramsgate | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | +7 | 9 |
| 12 | Chatham Town | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | +3 | 9 |
| 13 |  Burgess Hill Town | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 9 |
| 14 |  Cray Wanderers | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 8 |
Match data via api-football. Lineups, stats, ratings and league standings sourced live from the official feed at the time of publication.