2ndjan05

Chatham face stern Essex test

CLIVE WALKER admitted his side should have came away with more than a point in the New Years Day 1-1 draw at Aveley, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Chatham Town manager, whose side sit in tenth place in the Southern League Division One East table said: "I thought we had enough chances to win.

"We got in front, took a bit of pressure in the last twenty minutes and they scored.

"Horrendous weather, they had the wind in the second half but I thought on chances, we also hit the post, we should have won.  However, one goal is never enough."

Chatham have two home games against Essex opposition this week when fourteenth placed Harlow Town visit Maidstone Road on Monday (3pm) before the Medway club entertain fifth placed Barking & East Ham United next Saturday.

Walker admitted: "I think all games are tough in this league - there are no easy games in this league."

Walker, however, has bolstered his squad having lost three players with broken legs and Kenny Dyer deciding to move to Haringey Borough as their new manager.

Walker has signed Dover Athletic pair Michael Smissen, a former Sittingbourne striker, and midfielder Dale Skelton - who scored at Aveley - on a month's loan.

The former Dover Athletic manager is looking to finish the campaign in the top six and has also played down rumours of a return to the Hoverspeed Stadium.

"We are very up and down, we could do with some consistency but we are not in a bad position at the moment." he said.

"We are still looking to finish in the top six.  We've dropped down recently but we have games in hand over a few teams but we've got to win them.

"We are in with a good chance if we string some results together."

Chatham Town v Harlow Town
Southern League Division One East
Monday 3rd January 2005
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Maidstone Road, Chatham