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Chatham Town maintained their impressive form with an away win over Folkestone Invicta that keeps their play-off hopes alive.
Wins for fellow hopefuls Dover and Chichester at the weekend meant their hopes didn’t improve with the 3-1 win but manager Kevin Hake and his team aren’t giving up on the chance to make a late claim for a top-five place.
Speaking after the win, Hake said: “Folkestone’s always a difficult place to go but the lads continued the great run of form by winning away.
“I wouldn’t say it was a vintage game by any means but we ground out a result. At this stage of the season I think you often find that this is the case.
“The pressure can often take over and you can see it in the players’ performances. We are used to this type of pressure at the club at the business end of the season.
“That win makes us undefeated in nine, with seven wins and two draws. When you consider that it’s been another busy month with eight games in March, to have won seven of them is testament to how this group has grown.”
Isthmian League Premier Division table
Jordy Robins and Reece Butler scored in the first half against Folkestone and although Invicta got one back after the break the points were sealed when Jamie Yila struck late on.
It was a third straight win for Chats in the Isthmian Premier Division and they’re eight unbeaten in the league although the play-offs still remain a long-shot.
With five games left, Chats are still eight points adrift of the top five, with Dover Athletic currently holding onto the last of the play-off places.
Chats will hope to maintain their positive form when then entertain Carshalton Athletic at the Bauvill Stadium this Saturday.
Hake said: “Although results didn’t go our way last Saturday we will be fighting all the way until our final game is over.
“We have a cup final against Billericay to look forward to next week so competition for places in the squad is high which is always healthy.”
On Wednesday night (April 9), Chatham head to Essex to take on Billericay Town in the final of the Velocity League Cup.
Chatham are the holders but will be facing a Billericay side who sit second in the Isthmian Premier Division table, just a point behind league leaders Dartford.
*Chats are running coach travel to Wednesday night’s final at Parkside, home of Aveley FC. Email garyhake@chathamtownfc.com to secure a seat. Match admission is £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
