Chatham chairman Jeff Talbot has given his clearest indication yet that manager Alex O’Brien (pictured) and assistant Lew Watts will be retained for a second season, despite struggling in their first campaign.

Town go into the final game of the Ryman League Division 1 South season at Ashford on Saturday looking to build on the 3-0 win over Walton & Hersham last weekend and finish in 16th place.

Mr Talbot said: "Ending the season with back-to-back wins would help Alex and Lew’s position when we come to sit down with them but they are new to management and have learned a lot in their first season.

"I’m sure they will benefit from that in their second season."

Mr Talbot said he hopes his side are ruthless against Ashford this weekend, even though they could relegate their Kent rivals if they win and other results go against the Nuts and Bolts.

He said: "We want to be playing against Kent sides next season but I don’t think we will worry about that too much. We want to go out there and put in a performance like we have in the past three games and try to end the season on a high."