More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Chairman-boss Kevin Hake has been thrilled with the emphatic Chatham response to their last loss which has left them on the brink of winning the Isthmian South East title.
It’s now five straight successes as substitute Emmanuel Oloyede made an instant impact to break the deadlock after the restart before Andy Drury netted towards the end of their huge Easter Monday 2-0 triumph over title rivals Ramsgate.
Chats were beaten 1-0 at third-placed Whitehawk in mid-March but their faultless form since then has put them five points clear at the summit, with only six points left to play for this term.
After their victory over Ramsgate, Hake reflected: “It’s a big win at this stage of the season.
“I’ve said for probably three or four games now that three points seems like six and a draw seems like three points sometimes.
“After losing against Whitehawk, we knew we had a mountain to climb, but fair play to the boys for putting together five wins on the bounce.
“It’s unbelievable. Fair play to every single one of them.”
A nervy game at the Bauvill Stadium came to life in the final 20 minutes when striker Oloyede drew first blood, moments after he had come off the bench, in front of a record crowd of 2,540.
Hake, whose team also won 1-0 at Lancing on Saturday through a goal by captain Jack Evans, said: “You get absolutely chastised when you get it wrong but, sometimes, you do get it right!
“Fair play to Emmanuel. But I’ve got to say credit to all of the squad because all of the lads that didn’t feature on Saturday or Monday have been absolutely fantastic.
“There’s a collective here that wants to go and win the league and get promotion.”
Experienced midfielder Drury bagged Chatham’s second goal and he - along with player-assistant Danny Kedwell - were praised by Hake.
He said: “I don’t know if he won man-of-the-match, Jukes, but he was outstanding today.
"He was an absolute warrior - as was Keds.
“Since Keds’ return, we have won five games on the bounce. That just says it all for me.”
Another big crowd will be expected this Saturday once more when Chats can win the title by beating play-off chasing Cray Valley.
