Chatham Town host Concord Rangers in the Isthmian Premier Division this Saturday before Tuesday night’s Velocity Cup semi-final match against Ashford United at the Bauvill Stadium
05:00, 08 March 2024
Last weekend’s defeat for Chatham Town was a timely reminder of what can happen when you have an off day.
Chats are chasing league and cup success this season - second in the Isthmian Premier Division and in the semi-finals of the Velocity Cup and the Kent Senior Cup.
A run of three wins in a row and 16 goals scored came to an end last Saturday when Chats slipped up away at Carshalton Athletic - losing the league match 2-0.
Hake said: “Last Saturday was a harsh reality lesson and acted as a stark reminder that anyone on their day can beat you in this league.
“The week before, we put in one of our best performances against Billericay at home (winning 6-3) but against Carshalton we were far from our best and we got punished.
“We didn’t create many chances, which is unlike us, and we didn’t defend properly when required. In previous seasons, at lower levels, you get away with it but at this level you get punished.”
Isthmian Premier Division table
Prior to the Billericay game, Chats had beaten Hythe Town 7-2 in the Kent Senior Cup quarter-final.
There are two big home games coming up for Hake’s men as they look to put the Carshalton result and performance behind them.
They host third-from-bottom Concord Rangers in a league match this Saturday (3pm) before hosting Ashford United in the Velocity Cup semi-final on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
Hake said: “We need to dust ourselves down and we need to bounce back. This is the perfect opportunity.
“We’re in March and we are still competing in three competitions, which is a remarkable achievement to date, but it can all change in a heartbeat as we know how football is.
“We were in a similar situation last season and we went on a run and won the league.
“At a maximum, we have 14 games remaining this season and we need to make sure we finish the end of season on a high.”
The second Velocity Cup Semi-Final is also played on Tuesday night, between Hashtag United and Haringey Borough, with the Final scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 at Aveley FC’s Parkside ground.
Chatham will play Ebbsfleet United at Stonebridge Road in the semi-final of the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday, March 19. Fleet beat Beckenham Town 4-1 in their Quarter-Final on Tuesday night.
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