Boss Kevin Hake was delighted to see Chatham show their mettle in their comeback FA Cup third qualifying round victory over Deal on Saturday.

The Isthmian Premier Chats fell behind to striker Rory Smith’s goal in the sixth minute at the Bauvill Stadium.

But Chatham were back in control by half-time against the Isthmian South East side, with teenage striker Stanley Oldfield’s double sandwiching a bullet header by defender Alex Giles.

“You want to see a reaction when you go behind that early,” said Hake. “That’s exactly what we got.

“There’s already been a couple of times this season when we have had to go and do that.

“It’s not all just about playing good football and getting either one or two goals ahead, and the ‘Olés’ come out.

“Sometimes, you have got to dig deep - we had to do that on Saturday - so all credit to Deal for taking it to us and giving us a good game.”

Report: Chatham 3-1 Deal

Young midfielder Sam Sene-Richardson also proved key, with Chats’ first two goals coming from his pinpoint corners, and they held on reasonably comfortably after the restart despite Steve King’s visitors threatening to set-up a grandstand finish.

Hake said: “We always knew Steve and his Deal team are a decent team. I think their league position (sitting 18th) is not really reflective of how good they actually are as a team.

“They work the ball really well. Offensively, they’re a good team and I knew they were going to cause us problems.

“Obviously, it wasn’t a great start for us, making a mistake, and then them capitalising and scoring.

“But I think the lads stayed calm - which we always ask them to do - and got the three goals back. Then, it was just a case in the second half of keeping a clean sheet and we’re through to the next round.

“They’re a good team so we knew we had to set-up well and be at our best to get through to the next round.”

With National League clubs entering the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage, Hake admitted he and his troops are excited for Monday’s draw, having collected another £5,625 in prize money.

“There’s always a special feeling about the FA Cup,” noted Hake, whose also Chatham chairman. “You can sense it in the air.

“The dressing room is buzzing, we’re buzzing in the management office, and it’s nice. We’re now looking forward to the draw on Monday.

“It’s the furthest the club has ever been in the competition since I’ve been here - and I’m really proud of that.”

It means Chats are one more victory away from facing potential Football League opposition and the prospect of what would be a dream draw against high-flying League 2 neighbours Gillingham.

“Just to have a chance to play for a place in that first round, that’s going to be amazing,” said Hake. “It’s something I’ve not experienced before as a manager.

“A lot of the players are buzzing for it, as well.”

Chatham will next be in action at home against Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market in the FA Trophy third qualifying round next weekend as scheduled midweek league hosts Billericay will, instead, have an FA Cup replay to play at home against Hednesford Town.

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