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Jack Evans has called on his Chatham team-mates to take their chance to shine in the FA Cup.
Chats are chasing another upset in the third qualifying round tonight when they travel to National South Havant.
The Hawks play three leagues higher than Southern Counties East Chatham but that doesn’t worry skipper Evans.
They travel with confidence having won 3-0 at Isthmian Premier Folkestone at the last stage.
Win again tonight and they’ll be in the final qualifying round.
Chats have players with experience at Havant’s level - and higher - in the likes of Evans, Luke Rooney and Ryan Hayes.
And the skipper, converted into a free-scoring attacking midfielder by boss Scott Lindsey over the past year, can’t wait to see how his side fare.
“Everyone seems to be interested in what’s going on at the club and this is a good opportunity to show what we’re all about,” said Evans.
“We got a good result at Folkestone but I don’t think we played that well that day.
“Hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves.
“We won’t change the way we play, I don’t think we can.
“We’ve got a brilliant manager and coaching staff who coach us how to play, we’ve learned how to do it, so why should we change?
“I’d like to think I’ll feel comfortable. I’m lucky enough to have played a lot of football at Conference South level and I’ve played higher as well.
“I hope the boys who aren’t used to it - because we have a good amount of players who haven’t played there - give a good account of themselves have a good go at it.
“I’m lucky enough to captain this team and I don’t think we really worry about other teams.
“I think they’re full-time, they should be fitter than us, but we don’t worry about anyone.
“Every player should be looking forward to matching themselves against higher opposition.
“We’ve got a lot of young boys who want to go further, whether it’s with us or elsewhere, but you won’t find a better manager than Scott.
“Because of him we can go into this game with as much confidence as we want.”
Lindsey has worked wonders for Evans’ career, with the former Gills youngster banging in the goals from midfield since the manager arrived a year ago..
They previously worked together at Tamworth and Lindsey immediately saw something in his skipper.
“Scott’s brilliant and we’re lucky to have him,” said Evans.
“The league’s lucky to have him and Chatham are really lucky.
“I’m grateful to have him around the place.
“He’s taken the club to another level, on and off the pitch, and I say quite often to the younger boys in the side, you really need to knuckle down and take advantage of having him here because you’re not going to find anyone better, even four or five leagues higher.
“I always enjoyed attacking, whatever position I play, but I wasn’t given the opportunity to play a more advanced role before.
“As soon as Scott came in, he knew me from when I was younger at Tamworth, and he said I had the qualities to do it. I haven’t looked back since.
“I think I got 30 goals last year and 13 or 14 already this year and long may it continue.
“I still don’t think of myself as being there to score goals but I’m at that point where I’m frustrated if I don’t score. Playing for Scott has been a massive help.
“Hopefully we can all progress together and get promoted or win the league.”
Havant play behind closed doors due to their elite club status but Chats fans will be able to watch a live stream of the game on YouTube.
