Kentish Football 
We're looking for some character from the players, says Chatham Town assistant manager Keith Levett
First half goals from Paul Burnett and Jordan Cox put the Essex side in the driving seat, before Chatham pulled a goal back early in the second half courtesy of Lee Hales’ third goal of the season, but Aveley claimed the points and left Levett questioning his players’ consistency.
“We don’t seem to be able to play for the full 90 minutes and that’s frustrating,” said Levett.
“We started well against (in our 2-2 draw at) Cheshunt last Tuesday and played well for 60 minutes and Saturday it was the opposite – we played poorly to begin with and it took us to be 2-0 down at half-time to start playing.
“We should really transfer some of the performances that we’ve had and be able to play consistency well for 90 minutes, which is a problem at the moment.
“We’re not managing games well enough and we’re unable to be consistent enough which was a problem last year and I fear that it’s beginning to creep back in this year.”
The former Sevenoaks Town manager added: “It’s frustrating because like any situation you want to see progress in terms of the players recognising what we’re asking them to do and them being able to do it more successfully.
“I think that we’re still trying to get them to put in consistent performances, but clearly we’re not there yet.
“It’s got to improve otherwise we’re in for another season where we huff and puff and don’t produce enough.
“We are aware of it and we’re working on it. We need to make sure that the players are aware of it and to be fair I’m sure that they are, but at the moment, it’s just not good enough.”
Substitute Garry Tilley weaved his way to the line before creating the chance for Hales who drilled home from eight-yards three minutes into the second half.
“The changes certainly had an impact as you would hope. When we did score (and it was a good goal from Lee) they were rocking for a while,” said Levett.
“At times I thought they were very weak at the back, which makes it even more frustrating that we didn’t capitalise.
“You can see why they score a lot but also why they concede, but we just didn’t take advantage.
“We did better in the second half and the subs did make a difference. We got more balls into the box and on another day we would have converted more than just the one goal.”
Chatham Town are struggling to attract the crowds in the Ryman League Division One North, but Levett thanked the 159 fans that watched the game on the club’s big birthday bash.
And Levett wants his side to bounce back when they travel to play Romford on Wednesday night.
“It was great to see a few more in through the gate and it would have been nice to get a win for the club and we’re all disappointed about that, but we need to pick ourselves up and make sure that we don’t feel sorry for ourselves come Wednesday night and we’re at it and competing hard and that’s what we want really.
“You want your players competing hard for each other and for the team and if you ensure that, if we don’t get a result, it’s not through lack of effort and application, which I think at times in the last two games I think that we’ve worked hard enough to get a result.
“If we’d have started like we finished we’d have definitely got a result and if we’d have finished like we started at Cheshunt, again we’d have got a result and that’s what it comes down to really – working hard for the entire 90 minutes and that’s simply something we haven’t done.”
Chatham Town travel to Thurrock’s Ship Lane ground to face a Romford side that are in seventh-place in the table, with three wins and a draw from seven games.
The Medway side, however, lie in one place lower, with two wins and three draws from the same number of League outings.
Levett said: “We don’t know a lot about Romford but we’re expecting a competitive game.
“I expect them to be tough opposition, exactly the way they were last year. They were a well-organised side who don’t give you much time on the ball, but we must go there and compete, do the right things and work hard, and then we’ll come out of the game with something.
“We’ve got to work hard on getting that consistency and if we don’t get that we know we’ll have to make some changes.
“We’re looking for some character from the players – some hard work – and we’ll see where that takes us.”
Jamie Lawrence may be back in contention for the game after nursing a groin strain.
Levett added: “He said before Saturday’s game that he didn’t feel right as he’s been carrying a groin strain so we didn’t want to risk him.
“But who knows what the side will be on Wednesday as the way we’re playing at the moment, I don’t think that there’s one player guaranteed his spot, which is good for the boys not getting in as there’s opportunities for them, but obviously in an ideal world that won’t go on as we get the consistency that we want from the performances.
“I don’t think the gaffer (Kevin Watson) got too many players in ringing the changes for those not playing well enough.”
Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net
Romford v Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One North
Wednesday 10th October 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
At South Way, Ship Lane, Aveley RM19 1YN
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd