Kentish Football 
Hopefully we'll be a bit more successful with the results, says Chatham Town boss Kevin Watson
With his side beginning their Ryman League Division One North campaign with a home game against Waltham Abbey, Watson revealed his delight that his charges now face competitive football for the first time since the end of April.
He said: “I’m so pleased pre-season is finally over and we can now focus on the meat of things in the League and Cup games on the horizon.
“As everyone’s done, we’ve used pre-season to have a look at some players and get them used to the way we do things and overall I think things have gone OK.”
Chatham again face life marooned with Thamesmead Town in the Ryman League Division One North, whilst the other eight Kent clubs are all in the Southern Division –a point that wasn’t lost on the Chats boss.
“It would have been nice of some of the sides that we’ve played pre-season were actually in the same League as us (Maidstone, Whitstable and Sittingbourne) but everyone’s aware of the situation and we hope that it might be put right for next year but we’ve just got to get on with things and plan ahead accordingly.”
Looking ahead, Watson added: “We do of course know a bit more about the majority of teams in the North from last season and that always give you a foundation to work with and so we’ll approach each Saturday with a positive mindset.”
With the season starting with a home game, Watson confessed that he was grateful to have most of his pre- season games at Maidstone Road.
He said: “The home fixtures that we’ve had so far in the friendlies have helped and now that we’re at home the next three Saturday’s (Waltham Abbey and Needham Market in the League with Peacehaven & Telscombe thrown in for good measure in the FA Cup) so we’re just going to have to try and get the bodies in through the gate.
“We’ll go into the games with the same mentality as we did last season and approach the games in the right way – hopefully we’ll be a bit more successful with the results,” he said.
“We’ve got a tough start as we played Waltham Abbey here and didn’t think that they were too great, but when we went there I thought they were very good indeed.
“I think that they’re very much the same as us to a degree in that they’re a very well-run club who need a few experienced players to work with the youngsters. But they’ll be a decent team who try and play the right way, and so it’ll be a tough test but one that we’re all looking forward to!”
Watson takes his side to play away to Ilford at the much-criticised Cricklefield Stadium next Wednesday.
He said: “That will be another tough game as you never know what you’re going to get from them – they were quite an athletic team last year so it’s another one that we’ll look forward to.
“The start of the season always seems to be a long time in coming. I think it’s difficult for manager’s pre-season and I don’t know any who really enjoy it other than it gives you that breathing space to get your squad and your team sorted. But once you have – and we have for the last week or so – you just want to start, as the games in truth are a bit false!”
Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net
Chatham Town v Waltham Abbey
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 18th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd