We have a chance of staying up with 10 games to go, insists Chatham Town boss Paul Piggott

CHATHAM TOWN manager Paul Piggott hailed his players’ character after claiming a shock 2-2 draw at fifth-placed Hastings United last weekend.

Goals from Justin Ascheri and Ricky Freeman helped struggling Chatham seal a point down on the coast, with Frannie Collin scoring twice for Hastings.

Hastings have appointed Matt Longhurst as their new assistant manager, the former Erith & Belvedere and East Grinstead Town manager replacing Steven Watt, who left before the game to take charge of Vanarama National League South strugglers Margate.

“Last week’s performance and result was one that pleased me in as far as we showed character and if the players’ stick to the game plan then we can compete even at one of the toughest away places to go to,” said a proud Piggott.

“After going behind twice in the game, the players’ reaction was great, which in the past we might have folded.”

Chatham Town remain second-from-bottom in the Ryman League Division One South table on 23 points and host fourteenth-placed Horsham tomorrow.

Piggott’s side have only 10 league games left to play and are presently nine points adrift of safety, 10 if you count goal-difference.

“Saturday’s game doesn’t come much bigger as it’s a game when we need to put all the plusses from Hastings and turn that into three points against Horsham, if we’re to get out of the trouble we’re in,” said Piggott.

“I still believe if we can get the squad out for the rest of the season we have a chance of staying up with 10 games to go.

“I’m not going to bluff anyone saying it’s going to be easy, but belief and confidence is massive in football and all the time there’s points to play for, I’ll be preaching all the right things to my players.”

Piggott’s men have the added pressure that former players will be in attendance to pay tribute to former player Bobby Harrison.

Piggott said: “It’s a special day for the club when they’ll be a lot of ex-players there remembering one of its own in the passing of Bobby Harrison 30 years’ ago, I hope the players put on a show and get the three points we need.”

Visit Chatham Town’s website: http://chathamtownfc.info/

Chatham Town  v  Horsham
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 4^th March 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bourneville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6LR