Careful management of Chatham’s squad will be required during their Easter double-header.

The second-placed Chats appear set to finish in the Isthmian Premier play-offs and
face a trip to Cray Wanderers on Friday, followed by Monday’s game against relegation-bound Kingstonian at the Bauvill Stadium.

Heading into the business end of the campaign, Chatham - who also have a Velocity Cup Final against Hashtag United at Aveley on April 17 to look forward to - will need to utilise their pack.

Manager-chairman Kevin Hake, whose troops suffered a shock 5-1 home defeat to the Wands in September, said: “We turn our attention to our away game on Friday against Cray and then Kingstonian at home on Monday.

“Games in quick succession mean we can look to lean on the strength-in-depth we have in the squad. We have a few niggling injuries so it’s important that these don’t turn into something more serious as, effectively, it could mean that their season is over.

“We only have six weeks to go now, so we need to give it our all.

“In six weeks, we can all get a well-deserved rest but, for now, our attitude, desire and application needs to be relentless.”

Chatham beat third-bottom Haringey 2-1 at home last weekend.

They trailed in the third minute in front of a crowd of 1,463 to an effort from midfielder Matthew Young before captain Jack Evans equalised with his 13th goal of the season on 19 minutes.

Forward Ashley Nzala then got his 14th of the season shortly before the hour mark.

Both sides finished with 10 men after away keeper Dillon Barnes and Chatham defender Miquel Scarlett were sent off following a late melee, with defender J’Ardell Stirling forced to finish the game in goal for Haringey.

Hake reflected: “Saturday saw us pick up three points against a Haringey team fighting for their lives.

“It’s never easy to face teams who are in this position at this stage of the season and, although we weren't at our best, it was good to pick up the win.”

Scarlett will start his suspension when Chats host Kingstonian, who they beat 3-1 away on Boxing Day.