Chatham look forward to bumper pay day

CHATHAM TOWN manager Steve Binks says his side should have got more from their trip to league leaders East Thurrock United last weekend, writes Stephen McCartney.

Binks, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, admits there were positives and negatives from their trip to Essex, which ended in a dramatic 1-0 defeat.

“It was a cruel, cruel blow to concede a goal in the third minute of injury time and play forty minutes of the second half with ten-men,” he reflected.

Dan Larkin picked up two “harsh” bookings and former Dartford defender, Richard Avery is expected to be on the sidelines for at least a month, pulling his stomach muscles.

“We had three really good chances and had we taken one of them, we would have won that game,” said Binks.

“And to concede like we did, after our goalkeeper went out to stop the ball going out for a corner and was pushed and slid by opponents - he was manhandled if you like. It was a sickening to concede a goal like that really.

“We defended superbly, another positive. The back four were excellent, James Smith in goal had another cracker, midfield dominated the game, we played the better football, had we taken our chances, we would’ve scored two or three.”

Binks added, “If we had equalised in the last seconds it wouldn’t have been an injustice.”

Chatham Town, the fourth best supported side in the division, expect to attract their largest crowd of the season on Saturday, when Enfield Town visit.

The north London club attract the largest crowds in Ryman One North, averaging just 222, and despite the Chats’ lofty position in attendance figures, they only attract average gates of 144 to Maidstone Road.

The team in fourth place in Ryman One South - Folkestone Invicta - attract average attendances of 267.

“Hopefully it should be one of our better attendances on the back of two good away performances,” said Binks, whose side are fifth-bottom in the table.

“Hopefully we’ll get a few more people through the door, although Gillingham at home to Exeter won’t help our cause.”

The club would attract bigger gates had they remained in their right division - Ryman One South - instead of being moved into a division which doesn’t attract the same interest.

“If we would be in the South, our average would have been a lot higher, nearer 200, as you’d get 20-40 (more) supporters and potentially more home supporters and local Kent fans who go around, explained Binks.

“You don’t get much travelling support when we go away to north London and Essex. It’s a horrible journey up the M25 and A13, especially in midweek.”

Looking ahead to the game itself, Binks has challenged his side to complete their first double of the season, against a side that are only five places higher.

He said: “We beat them 3-1 away from home so it would be good to do the double over them.

“There’s good confidence in the side, good spirit, the work on the training ground is starting to pay off so we’re going into the game Saturday with a positive frame of mind, looking to get three points.”

Visit Chatham Town’s website:  www.chathamtownfc.net

Chatham Town v Enfield Town
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 24^th January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bourneville Avenue, Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 6ES