Chatham manager Kevin Hake has praised the phenomenal support his side are getting this season.

The Chats are averaging crowds of 700 at home in Isthmian South East and had close to 1,000 last Saturday to watch their 1-0 win over Ashford United. The weekend’s gate of 929 topped the 911 that watched their FA Cup qualifier against Walton & Hersham.

It’s now seven wins from seven in the league at the Bauvill Stadium for Chatham after Emmanuel Oloyede scored the only goal of the game.

Hake said: “I was really pleased with taking the three points against a strong Ashford team who have finished in the play-offs for the last two seasons.

“The lads applied themselves great and I’m pleased they did it in front of a bumper crowd.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the growing number of Chats fans we are seeing at the Bauvill.

“It’s not just at home, it’s away also where we regularly take over 150, which is phenomenal for this level of football.

“It helped us against Ashford and I know they will be there for Three Bridges away on Saturday.”

Their weekend hosts sit just above the bottom two in the division, losing 4-1 at Ramsgate on Saturday.

“Despite them sitting near the bottom we will not be taking the game lightly,” Hake said.

“On their day anyone can beat anyone in this league. They are only one win away from mid-table and that’s how tight this league is.

“It’s important we look to keep our great run of form going as we haven’t been beaten in the league since [the] first game of season.”

Chatham head into the weekend sitting second in the table, two points behind Ramsgate with a game in hand.

Hake’s side followed up their weekend win with a 3-0 home victory over Sittingbourne in the Velocity Cup third round on Tuesday. Dan Bradshaw (2) and Daniel Thompson got the goals.

Dean Beckwith played after recovering from injury while fellow defender Joey Taylor turned out for the reserves this week.

“To have them back for the run into Christmas is priceless as fatigue will no doubt play a part with all the games we are having,” Hake added.