Chatham Town manager-chairman Kevin Hake looks ahead to Isthmian Premier Bank Holiday double-header against Dulwich Hamlet and Dartford
Published: 05:00, 22 August 2024
Updated: 09:40, 22 August 2024
Boss Kevin Hake is excited at the prospect of Chatham’s massive Bank Holiday double-header weekend.
Chats are at home against Dulwich Hamlet this Saturday, having claimed their first Isthmian Premier win of the season at the third attempt last weekend, before they visit Dartford two days later.
While Chatham narrowly missed out on a third straight promotion last term, both Dulwich Hamlet and Dartford were established clubs at National League South level themselves not long ago.
Hake said: “This Bank Holiday weekend sees us up against Dulwich at home and Dartford, away.
“I’ve got to admit it does make you pinch yourself for a second when you look at the magnitude of the clubs we face in the next two games.
“Only a few years ago, we could have only dreamed of these fixtures and, now, we find ourselves facing them in the league.
“Dulwich - home and away last season - felt like proper football matches in front of decent crowds and I think the Dartford games will be exactly the same.
“The squad is bonding week-by-week and we need to continue the good run of form from the last two games.
“We have a good squad to cope with what is required to play these back-to-back games in such a short space of time so we are looking forward to the challenge.
“Both games will attract big attendances, which will be great for the players and the Chatham faithful to be a part of.”
Hake’s men head into the matches after last weekend’s hard-fought 2-0 victory at Bowers & Pitsea, managed by one-time Chatham boss James Collins.
Striker Rowan Liburd came off the substitutes’ bench to break the deadlock in the 82nd minute and Chats captain Jack Evans added a second with a fine stoppage-time free-kick.
“No game in this league is easy, away ones in particular, so it was nice to come away with three points on Saturday against Bowers & Pitsea,” said Hake.
“They are a newly-promoted side and the momentum is still with them so it's a difficult time to play them at the start of the season.
“It was good to see Rowan get off the mark and also for Evo to get one of his trademark free-kicks off so early in the season.”
Chatham are set to visit Isthmian South Central Westfield in the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday, August 31.
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Thomas Reeves