SOHAM suffered at the hands of high-flyers Chasetown as a combination of bad defending and bad luck saw them lose 3-0. Two first-half goals from Phil Harris gave the visitors an almost unassailable lead going in at half-time as Soham were caught cold by s

SOHAM suffered at the hands of high-flyers Chasetown as a combination of bad defending and bad luck saw them lose 3-0.

Two first-half goals from Phil Harris gave the visitors an almost unassailable lead going in at half-time as Soham were caught cold by some sharp attacking play.

The game, although a relatively sedate affair in its early stages, soon picked up in intensity when a very questionable challenge on Martin Bromwich by visiting striker Phil Harris left the former in a crumpled heap.

The challenge was met with uproar from fans and players alike and, after much deliberation from the referee, was punished with a yellow card, a decision which proved most irksome to the green majority inside the stadium.

To rub salt into an already gaping wound, the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 25th minute following a clumsy tackle from defender Martin Bromwich. The resulting spot-kick was duly smashed home by Harris much to the derision of the crowd.

The direction of the supporter's anger wasn't long fixed on the visitors though, as a long goal-kick from the Chasetown keeper was badly misjudged by his opposite number, allowing Harris to nip in and slot home for 2-0.

Although there was a lack of real cutting edge from the Greens for much of the half, they might have pulled at least one goal back seconds short of half-time but Paul Jones' superb turn and shot was denied only by the inches of the crossbar.

The second-half has in recent weeks, proved a rallying point for the greens with performances often improving in the second 45.

But, on this occasion, the break brought little relief for Benjamin's men as they continued to find only frustration against the seemingly gargantuan Chasetown defence.

There was no such frustration for the visitors though, as they made the game all but safe 10 minutes into the half as Richard Batchelor drilled a left-foot shot home from outside the area.

Although visibly downcast by the setback, Soham were momentarily lifted when Harris was awarded his second-yellow of the match and they poured forward for most, if not all, of the final 20 minutes of the macth.

Typical of their luck throughout the match however, Soham couldn't quite find the much needed goal, with an Adam Weston strike which crashed back off the post their best chance.