There will be a new manager in the dugout for the first time when Chatham clash with Thamesmead on Saturday.

Mead have just appointed Terry Spillane to succeed Keith McMahon, who resigned last month after 11 years in charge.

Chats manager Kevin Watson, who is approaching his four-year anniversary at Maidstone Road, said: "Thamesmead is a difficult one. It’s probably our most local derby and they’ve just lost their manager, so there’s a new manager taking charge for the first time on Saturday.

"I’m sure he’ll get a response from the players, like you normally see. Terry won’t have had time to bring in many players, so he’ll have to go with the others."

Watson added: "I think everybody was surprised to see Keith go. To manage somewhere for that period of time, you’ve got to be quite resilient. He got promoted and relegated but he had more positives than negatives."

Chatham go into the derby 17th in Ryman League Division 1 North, three places and five points below Thamesmead, who drew 1-1 at second-bottom Cray on Tuesday.

However, Watson’s side have won their last two games and are looking to make it three on the bounce for the first time this season.

He said: "It does become a bit of a habit. It’s nice for the players because you can forget what it’s like to win a game when it’s been a long time coming. It builds momentum and when performances are good, people keep their shirts."

Chatham, four points above the relegation zone, have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s game.

Read the full story in the Medway Messenger.