We have the players to climb the table, insists frustrated Binks

CHATHAM TOWN boss Steve Binks wants fortune to shine on his side during their trip to highflying Brentwood Town tomorrow night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Binks was left cursing his luck when his side were held to a 1-1 draw by fellow strugglers Waltham Forest on Saturday - but he’s desperate for better luck for their next game.

“So, so frustrating again,” Binks told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight. “One-nil up, should have been two, three-nil up at half-time. We missed some decent chances second half. It looked like a matter of time when we scored the second goal. We dominated the game.

“They forced their first corner of the second half in injury time, we cleared it out for another corner. Third one comes in, gets parried, stuck in the mud, defender swings at it, airshot, and one of their players slides in to equalise, which they didn’t deserve.”

But Binks praised his players for their work-ethic, but admits luck has to change for the better for their next two games.

“I couldn’t fault the players’ effort, desire or workrate, they absolutely worked their socks off in atrocious conditions,” he said.

“I’m proud of the performance, we just didn’t get the rub of the green.”

Unbeaten side Brentwood Town go into the game sitting in third place in the Ryman League Division One North table with a record of nine wins and four draws. They are three points behind league leaders Waltham Abbey.

Then, the Medway side welcome a Ware side to Maidstone Road next Saturday, that’s level on points with Brentwood, in fourth place.

But Chatham Town are a side that have a reputation of upsetting the applecart.

“Brentwood are unbeaten, so we’re Dover last year when we beat them twice,” recalled Binks.

“We’ll respect them, but I’ve not met a side that have been heads and shoulders above us. We’ve been in every game we’ve played.

“We haven’t got the rewards we’ve deserved. I know we’ve got the players who can turn our fortunes around.”

Chatham are presently in the bottom five in the table, with three wins and two draws from 14 games - only four points above the drop zone.

Binks agreed when it was suggested that this is a false position.

He said: “I honestly think we’ve got enough quality to move up the table. We’ve been desperately unlucky with some injuries. We’ve got a few tomorrow night.”

Richard Avery (neck), Darren Smith (bruised toe), Brad Potter (family reasons), Ross Finn (twisted ankle) and Steve Best (work commitments) are all doubtful.

“Ashley Probets is now back in light training after his ankle ligament injury and is about 3-4 weeks away,” revealed Binks.

Recent signings, Danny Beszant (ex-Erith Town), and Chris Hackett (ex-Welling United) have been told to get match fit by the Chatham boss.

But midfielder, Michael Scott, 16, is available, despite going on England Schoolboys’ trials recently.

“He’ll know by the end of the week,” Binks said. “To get that far is a great achievement but he’ll be back in the squad.”

Binks is set to unveil some fresh faces as he aims to steer the club away from the drop zone.

He added: “There’s some players I’m trying to get in but I can’t name names until it’s been finalised. There’s three or four I’ve been talking to. We’ll see how many I can get.”

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

Brentwood Town v Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One North
Tuesday 4^th November 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At The Arena, The Brentwood Centre, Doddinshurst Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9NN