O'Brien has no problem with Chatham Town budget cut

Monday 01st February 2010

CHATHAM TOWN boss Alex O’Brien has revealed that his budget was cut last week - but his side responded to the news by coming away from Whitstable Town with all three points in the bag, writes Stephen McCartney.

Goals from his former Dartford team-mates, Richard Avery and Brendon Cass sealed a 2-1 win over their struggling Kent rivals at Belmont Road at the weekend, a result that puts the club in seventh place in the Ryman League Division One South table - just six points adrift of the play-off’s.

“We done extremely well in the first half,” O’Brien told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“We passed the ball well. To go in only at 2-0 was a bit of a disappointment really. We had a few one-on-one’s, hit the post, and if we had gone in at 5-0 I think it would have told a better story.

“But they came out second half straight at us and they got a penalty, which kicked the game into life a little bit.

“We were still creating chances but Chatham being Chatham they go right to the death. I was a bit concerned with all their pressure they might nick one.

“We defended well, defended properly for a team looking to win a game of football.”

The Tonbridge based leader has challenged his side to string a good run of wins together, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Burgess Hill Town and Saturday’s home clash against Dulwich Hamlet.

“We’re craving to go on, whether it’s a three or four game run or a 20 game, run,” said O’Brien. “I just need some sort of run. I’m getting sick and tired of winning one and losing one. It’s not how I see a successful team, plodding along.

“We’re a young side and we’re learning all the time and I just think any win is a good win and going into Tuesday - if we can take something and take that into Saturday and let things flow - I won’t need to change things.

“All these teams that have gone on runs haven’t really changed personnel and that’s a big plus.”

Looking forward to their game at Burgess Hill Town, O’Brien said: “I’ve played there many a time myself and it’s never an easy game. They work hard, they’re a fit, young side and they can score goals.

“They turned Worthing over, who are a very good side. It’s going to be a good game. There’s no fear in going there at all.”

Chatham’s next home game is against Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday - a side that should boost the Medway club’s average attendance of 153.

“Dulwich are a very good side and rightly so, stepped in history and have always had some good players,” said O’Brien, who donned the famous pink and blue shirts during his playing days.

“We went there and we’re in a very good position, 3-1 up and let it go and got a point.

“They’re a team in or around us, they’re a very good side going forward and they pass the ball well and are a lively, young side.

“If we start well and we take the chances that we create, there’s no reason why we can’t get maximum points on the day. In this league it’s very much on the day and who takes their chances.”

He added: “It doesn’t matter who we play, I’m not a very good loser and I set my stall out to win a game of football, whether I’m training, managing or playing.

“I’ve got a lot of old friends at Dulwich and I don’t want to be the one in the bar that has to say “your boys did very well and deserved to win!” I want it to be us extending our lead from them in the table!”

When asked whether O’Brien still trains with his players (along with his assistant, Lew Watts), he replied, “We tend to now and again but it’s very difficult to be honest because it’s the first time we’re doing it (management) and we want to make sure we’re doing things right.

“Lew has been ticking over and I’ve been ticking over, nowhere near where we used to be, but it’s nice to have a training game or just keep flowing to keep us going but nowhere near the fitness of the lads.”

But the boss is pleased with the squad’s reaction to last week’s budget cuts.

“My budget was cut last week but I wasn’t really hitting budget anyway so it wasn’t too much of a problem,” said O’Brien.

“I addressed the boys and I said ‘look, whoever wants to stay, stay. Whoever wants to go, by all means go.”

“But with the weather being so bad, the games haven’t been played.

“Let’s be honest, the money just isn’t in non-league football, this year and maybe next year. We’re going to find it a little bit of a struggle to meet players demands but players have to meet us halfway and realise unless you’re at a big club there’s no money in the game unfortunately.”

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

Burgess Hill Town v Chatham Town

Ryman League Division One South

Tuesday 2nd February 2010

Kick Off 7:30pm

At Leylands Park, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8DL