Vital win eases pressure off Miles and his family - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Phil Miles was able to enjoy a pleasant meal out with his children this lunchtime with a smile on his face after his Chatham Town side defeated Cray Wanderers yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The vital 2-1 home win puts his side on 32 points - four points clear of the Ryman League Division One South drop zone - with eight games remaining.

“We needed it,” Miles said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk:  “We need to start winning games and yesterday was a sign of things to come and we should pick up enough points until the end of the season.”

Defender James Holder impressed on his Chatham debut, having been snapped up by Miles on Thursday night following his release from Kent League side Faversham Town, where he was captain.

“He was really solid yesterday,” beamed Miles. “To be fair the whole team played really well and James was the pick of the bunch and everyone was just fantastic.

“It makes this week in training a bit more enjoyable as you can relax a little bit more coming off the back of a win.

“For the meantime a little bit of pressure is off and we have to build from the last four games when we have done well. Yesterday we got the rewards we have deserved.”

Goals from Jim Lyons and a late deflected strike from Shane Suter, whose on loan from Ryman Premier League club Ramsgate, sealed their first win in eight games to enable Miles to enjoy his weekend.

And Miles revealed Tyrone Walker, Sam Phillips and Craig Govey will turn out for the reserves in their Floodlight Trophy home game against Faversham Town on Tuesday night.

Miles then takes his side to Bourne Park twice in a week to play Sittingbourne (next Saturday) and Maidstone United (Wednesday, 28^th March) before travelling to Dover Athletic at the end of the month.

But the Northfleet based manager believes his side are capable of picking up derby points.

“Another derby and I feel if we keep up the form that we’re playing at the moment, the results aren’t going our way, but performance wise, I’m pleased,” he said.

“If we can do that next Saturday we will pick up points. A win will be fantastic against Sittingbourne.

“Any point at the moment is acceptable whether it’s one or three and if we can get one a game we will certainly stay up.

“It will be a difficult game because they’ve gone on a winning run but as we know these derbies can throw up anything.”

And with games against promotion chasing giants Maidstone United, Dover Athletic and Dartford still to play on their travels, Miles warned: “Even though we’ve got these big teams away I am confident we can upset teams and take points off the top teams - if we play to our full potential.”

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