Shock win eases Chatham's relegation fears - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Chatham Town edged towards securing their Ryman League status following last night’s shock 2-1 win at division one south leaders Maidstone United, writes Stephen McCartney.

Returning to Bourne Park just four days after their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sittingbourne, there was a new air about the Chatham Town team last night – as they did the unthinkable and inflicted Maidstone United’s seventh defeat of the season.

And they took just 54 seconds to stun the Stones faithful by taking the lead.

Gavin Schulz, on loan from Ryman Premier League side Ramsgate, provided the final touch to power the ball past Pat Mullin from six-yards, after great work on the left from teenagers Craig Govey and Rob Denness.

But Maidstone United drew level in the 24^th minute when two-time former Chatham striker Simon Austin did the damage as his side took full advantage of the Chats being temporarily reduced to ten men, with Steve Best in the process of being substituted after a lengthy spell of treatment on the sidelines.

Goalkeeper John Whitehouse thwarted the Stones as they made much of the running during the second half but Chatham scored the winning goal with nine minutes left.

Deneess, putting his new boots to good use, forced the ball home at the second attempt following some good work by Shane Suter on the right.

Chatham’s vital eighth win of the season, sees them leapfrog over Walton Casuals and are now six points clear of the drop - with a much better goal-difference than their rivals.

“We scored a very early goal, which seemed to throw them and then they got themselves back in the game,” a delighted Chatham Town boss Phil Miles said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We just worked really hard (with) some really good performances going on from Saturday where there was a lot of poor performances. 

“We went out last night like we really meant business.

“We were strong, battled really well and luckily for us we got the second goal.”

Miles was thankful for the heroics from his goalkeeper, the highly-rated John Whitehouse.

The stopper, signed from Kent League club Tunbridge Wells during the summer, earned his keep between the sticks, particularly with a spectacular full-length dive to deny Lynden Rowland midway through the second period.

“He made two good saves, he made a couple of saves in one-on-one’s – he definitely kept us in it,” said Miles.

“We’ve played against teams this year two or three times and the keeper’s got man-of-the-match.

“What goes around comes around and John was our man-of-the-match last night and the luck went our way.”

Miles admitted last night’s shock win has assisted the club securing their status for next season.

“I’m not sure what percentage I’ll put it under but it’s gone a long way to help us stay up,” he said.

“We’ve still got some big games coming up and we’ll be trying to get as many points as possible over the last six games but last night has done us no harm at all.”

But Miles wants to know if his young side can replicate last night’s performance when they travel to another of the league’s big-guns, Dover Athletic, on Saturday.

He said: “Another really tough game for us, obviously they’ve got immense quality throughout the whole side, similar to Maidstone, big, strong and organised and they’ve got some top players.

“But again if we can put in the same performance as we did last night then we’ll do ok – simple as that!

“But it’s just getting the same performance out of the same players on Saturday.

“They’ve set their own little standard and if they can play like that at Maidstone on Wednesday night, there’s no reason why they can’t play like that against Dover on Saturday.”

But can they pull off another shock result again?

“It’s our win of the season, definitely,” admitted Miles.  “Can they do it again? I don’t know!

“We’ve been so inconsistent all season but last night must give everyone at the club a lift so I can’t see any reason why we can’t pick up any points. I’m looking at picking up points in all games.”

Godalming Town, a side that occupies one off the two relegation places, visit Maidstone Road next Saturday, 7^th April.

Miles added: “If we were to beat Godalming at home next Saturday, then I would say we’re 95% safe. If we don’t, we have to pick the points up elsewhere.”

Visit club websites:

www.doverathletic.com

www.chathamtownfc.net  

Dover Athletic  v  Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 31^st March 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB