The club feel proud of Ade Yusuff's progress at Daggers, says Chatham Town boss Kevin Watson

CHATHAM TOWN manager Kevin Watson says his side have failed to meet expectations.

The Chats were knocked out of the Robert Dyas (Ryman League) Cup at the first hurdle on Tuesday night, going down to a 2-1 defeat at Ryman Premier League side Tonbridge Angels.

Lewis Knight sliced Charlie Slocombe’s cross into his own net, before Alex Teniola headed home a second on the stroke of half-time to give Steve McKimm’s side the advantage.

But Chatham Town pulled a goal back through Junior Kaffo’s first goal of the season after Greg Benbow’s cut back.

Watson’s side are in thirteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table with 19 points from 16 games.

“We’re a way from where we need to be,” admitted Watson.

“We’re fully aware of that. I’ve set targets, we’re not near our targets.  We could be if we put a little run together so you don’t dismiss that. It’s not too late. If will be at some point. We need to do that sooner rather than later.

“We had two clean sheets in the league on the bounce, which is good because that was an issue earlier in the season but we haven’t scored the goals so we’ll look to address that and keep on working.

“We’ve made changes to the squad so that will take time to bed in.”

Watson takes his side to Hertfordshire to tackle a Cheshunt side one place lower with 18 points from 13 games.

“They were decent last time we played them,” said Watson.

“It’s quite a nice surface up there so it should be an ok place to go but it will as hard, if not harder than it was on Tuesday night. A league game always has a bit of bite about it, doesn’t it?”

There was a sense of pride for Watson when former Chatham Town striker Ade Yusuff made his debut for League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge during their 2-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Second Round tie at Victoria Road on Tuesday.

He was replaced by fellow debutant, former Bromley striker Bradley Goldberg, who played the final 28 minutes.

“Yes, it is pleasing. I think the club feel proud of his progress,” said Watson.

“A few of us went down to watch him on Friday, he didn’t get on. He speaks to the boys all the time.

“We’ve obviously played a part in his move and if we didn’t think he’ll get the opportunity and it wasn’t the right place for him to develop then he’ll possibly wouldn’t ended up going there.

“The boy’s got talent in abundance but what it is at the moment for him is an opportunity. He needs to take that opportunity and he needs to work hard.

“It’s an environment he hasn’t been in for a while but I think he misses playing for us. He came down to Harlow to watch us the other day and he would have liked to have played because at the moment he’s not getting as many minutes as he would have liked.

“He’s a player who needs to play and score goals.”

Meanwhile, Chatham Town welcome Ryman Premier League side Margate to Maidstone Road to play a Kent Reliance Senior Cup First Round tie next Tuesday.

Watson said: “That won’t be easy either! We’ve had some tough cup ties but again it’s another opportunity against higher opposition to set our stall out and see how we do.”

Visit Chatham Town’s website:  www.chathamtownfc.info

Cheshunt  v  Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 11^th October 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Theobalds Lane, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire EN8 8RU