More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Chatham Town overcame a character test to secure a late win last weekend and now focus on a tricky home tie in the FA Cup.
Kevin Hake’s men head into a home third qualifying round match against Deal Town in good form, with six straight wins in all competitions.
Last Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Carshalton Athletic was secured thanks to a stoppage-time penalty scored by in-form youngster Stanley Oldfield.
His 92nd minute strike came at the other end of their Isthmian Premier Division clash which had seen fellow youngster Sam Sene-Richardson score in the opening 30 seconds.
“Saturday’s win over Carshalton was another important step for us,” said manager Hake.
“To score late on and take the three points shows the character and resilience this group is developing.
“Young Stanley Oldfield came up with the winner and I was delighted for him – he’s working hard, learning all the time, and moments like that will give him huge confidence.”
Chats had been pegged back after Sene-Richardson’s early goal was cancelled out by a penalty for the visitors, scored just after the hour mark.
“Over the 90 minutes I thought the result was a fair one,” Hake said.
“It wasn’t a game full of clear chances, and while there were two penalties awarded, I honestly don’t think either decision was correct.
“But we didn’t let that affect us – we stayed focused, kept pushing, and eventually got our rewards.
“That ability to keep going until the very end is something I’m really pleased with.”
Isthmian League Premier Division table;
Weekend visitors Deal Town play in the division below and are hoping to get past the FA Cup third qualifying round for the first time in their history.
Hake, meanwhile, has a burning desire of his own to progress. Clubs competing at this stage are now only two wins away from a spot in the first round proper and a potential draw against a team in the Football League.
The Chats chairman/manager said: “The FA Cup is a competition that means so much to everyone involved in football, and it’s one we want to do well in.
“We’re under no illusions about the challenge. Deal Town are a well-drilled side, they’ll come here organised, and they’ll make it a tough game for us.
“We’ll need to be at our best, both in and out of possession, to make sure we progress.
“We’ve spoken a lot about wanting to give this club a proper cup run and this is the furthest we’ve gone in 12 years.
“Games like this are never straightforward, but they’re opportunities to keep building the momentum we’ve worked hard to create.”
Chatham have re-signed their former keeper Nathan Harvey.
The 23-year-old made a handful of appearances for Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League last season and before that spent time at Gillingham after leaving Chats previously. He’d moved to the Bauvill Stadium from Charlton Athletic.
Henry Molyneux has kept goal for Chats this season, joining permanently in the summer after a successful loan last season from Sheffield United.
The club said that Harvey “adds strength in depth to the club’s goalkeeping ranks.”
Sign up to our Non-league Football newsletter and you can enjoy all the best bits from KentOnline every week direct to your inbox! To sign up, click here
© 2025 - KM Media Group Limited, Medway House Sir Thomas Longley Road, Medway City Estate, Rochester, ME2 4DU | 08528676 |
