Table-topping Chatham Town boss Kevin Watson wants to get some points at Ilford

CHATHAM TOWN boss Kevin Watson says he was happy with his side’s all-round performance during their 4-0 win over Waltham Abbey on the opening day of the season.

The Chats rose to the summit of the Ryman League Division One North table after Frenchman Jean Michel Sigere and Gary Tilley scored two goals apiece at  the Maidstone Road Sports Ground yesterday.

Watson said: “Don’t think we could have asked for much more in terms of the result and the performance – to be fair I thought the performance was very good! Sometimes you get a result and can still be critical of the performance, but both today were very good!”

Former Maidstone United winger Ryan Palmer scooped the sponsors’ man-of-the-match award after setting up three of the goals on his debut.

Watson said:  “Ryan was terrific today especially in the first half and early on second half as well – he caused them problems and that’s something we lacked last season a right-sided player.

“Roddy (Ndiane) can play there to and all fairness to Ryan he’s come in and done well since he joined us from Maidstone and I think he’s enjoying his football. He’s likes the way we play and is a big part of it!”

Watson added: “Equally as pleasing for myself though was the clean sheet which was first and foremost the target and we don’t get many clean sheets and I’m quite critical of that as I feel that a number of the goals that we concede are often avoidable – very seldom do we concede a goal that you could turn round and say we couldn’t do anything about that.

“The clean sheet was a real credit to the back four – Matt (Newman) and Kes (Metitri) have got a good partnership and understanding, and along with the rest of the back four were outstanding!"

Watson was full of praise for much-travelled Sigere, saying, “I don’t think that Siggy’s role throughout the season, if we were to play that formation again, is all about him scoring goals, it’s about him creating opportunities for others.

“Yesterday was an exception where he was able to get on the end of a lot of play, but I do think that he’s very underestimated on terms of what he brings to a side. He’s got a turn of pace himself; he’s good in the air which everyone ions aware of but he’s also a very intelligent player who has a great awareness of what’s going on around him.”

Speaking about Tilley’s contribution, the Chatham Town boss added: “Gary came in last season after a bit of a break and he was definitely one of the bonuses for us last year.

“I spoke to him before the game and told him that it was important for him to continue on and whilst we sit back and think to ourselves how well we’ve done and who we; he did last season personally I think that there’s more to come from Gary and certainly more consistency in his performances.

“But what’s great about Gary is that he takes things on board and doesn’t moan. He’s willing to learn although he is one of the senior players and I think that that’s because he’s enjoying his football and is playing with a smile on his face, which at his stage of his career he needs to be doing.”

Looking ahead to their trip to Ilford on Wednesday night, Watson issued a warning for anyone getting ahead of themselves.

He said: “It’s going to be a very difficult game as we’re going into the unknown as they’ve completely changed the fact of where they were at last season as if I’m honest they were one of the weaker sides we played last year.

 “But they’ve got a different team and a different manager so it’s still going to be a very tough place to go for different reasons.

“We’ll go there with respect for them as a team and Saturday’s win will only be as good as it is if we get something on Wednesday night.”

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

Ilford  v  Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One North
Wednesday 22^nd August 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Cricklefield Stadium, 486 High Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 1UE