We've got to be ruthless in the FA Cup as you get no second chance, says Chatham boss Kevin Watson

CHATHAM TOWN boss Kevin Watson says he wants his side to rediscover their ruthless streak when they travel to Hastings United in the FA Cup next Saturday.



The Medway side suffered their first defeat of the season at the weekend going down to a 2-0 home defeat to much-fancied Needham Market.

Watson’s side, who were without influential 35-year-old striker Jean-Michel Sigere, slipped down to fifth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table following the defeat.

Watson said: “I think we could have got something out of that game as they scored from two set pieces.  We haven’t created enough yet despite the two goals that they scored I didn’t think they created too much more than us.

“But it did show that they had more conviction than us.  I thought we were good for the first 15 minutes and a spell in the second half but apart from that we didn’t really play the way we can.”

“Losing Siggy (Sigere) was a blow, but by no means do I think it was the only reason that we lost.  I think that Harry (Smith) to be fair did quite well whilst he was on the pitch, but it’s not about one player and one person.

“Of course, it was a shame not to have Siggy available but we knew when we signed him that he wouldn’t play the whole season.  Sadly he missed out because he had the flu, but it was great to see him at the ground though he wasn’t fit enough to play to get involved in a presentation of new tracksuits for the under 10’s,

“I always said that he’d be a bigger part of the club and the whole picture, which he has been and long may it continue.”

Watson takes his side to Hastings, a side that are in tenth-place in the Ryman Premier League (the division above Chatham) in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round next Saturday.

Hastings have been inconsistent at home so far this season in the league and Watson is looking forward to the game at The Pilot Field, which has £3,000 up for grabs in prize money for the winners.

“It’s a difficult place to go to because of where Hastings is on the coast – you feel like it’s out on a limb but of course it’s not because there are other clubs around that way,” said Watson.

“By all accounts it’s a nice pitch and quite a nice place to go but it’s always difficult in Cup competitions because there is a little bit of a different emphasis on the game and sometimes players seem a little bit nervy.

“I hope that we can go there full of confidence and try and relax and give a good account of ourselves.

“I think you’ve got to be a little bit ruthless than you would normally be for a League game as you get no second chance for the result.

“So I hope that we’ll be able to get that point across in training this week and we’ll work on some things.

“We’ve done a little bit of homework on them as we do on most clubs if we get the opportunity so we’ll go there, it’ll be interesting and hopefully we’ll give a good account of ourselves.”

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

Hastings United  v  Chatham Town
The FA Cup with Budweiser First Qualifying Round
Saturday 8^th September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Pilot Field, Elphinstone Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 2AX