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A late penalty conversion extended Chatham Town’s unbeaten run to seven games on Tuesday night and they take on the league leaders next.
It’s set to be a huge game at the Bauvill Stadium as table-topping Dover Athletic make the trip up to Chatham tomorrow (Saturday).
Hake’s men have drawn their last two matches and the manager sees Saturday’s game as another chance to test just how far they’ve come in recent weeks.
“Performances have been good and the teams we have faced certainly know they’ve been in a game,” said the Chats boss.
“The team have really started to bond together well.
“It’s taken time but you find that when you assemble any new team.
“As the season progresses we will get stronger and stronger so to put this little run together is very pleasing.
“We now need to convert the draws into wins and we will see ourselves climb up the table.”
Chats head into the weekend 16th in the Isthmian Premier table, having drawn five of their 12 league fixtures, including four of their six at home.
Dover haven’t lost away from home and they enjoyed a 1-0 win at Folkestone on Tuesday night.
Jack Evans scored a last-minute equaliser for Chats in their midweek game at second-placed Billericay Town.
Chatham were trailing 1-0 but claimed a point thanks to a strike by their skipper from the penalty spot.
Kareem Isiaka had two efforts ruled out for off-side in the opening 20 minutes at New Lodge and the hosts led after 74 minutes. Evans had replaced Stuart O’Keefe prior to that goal and stepped up to score the leveller.
Isthmian Premier Division table
It was a second successive 1-1 draw after sharing the spoils with Lewes last Saturday at the Bauvill Stadium, roles reversed that day as John Ufuah’s early goal was cancelled out by a penalty from the visitors.
Hake said: “The games are coming thick and fast and this little batch of games sees us face the current top six.
“It’s nice to test ourselves at this early stage of the season against the best the league has to offer to get a measure of where we are.
“Saturday sees us face top of the table Dover at the Bauvill which again will be a great marker.
“It’s mind-blowing to think we are now competing against a club of Dover’s size when only a few years ago there were four leagues between us.
“They are showing what a big club they are by making a great start to the season.
“They have a strong following so it’s set for a great atmosphere on Saturday.”
Chatham are back at home on Tuesday night when they host Horsham.