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Hake: Chats' weekend draw showcases league's quality


Hake: Chats' weekend draw showcases league's quality

Boss Kevin Hake described Chatham's thrilling weekend draw as a great advert for Isthmian Premier football.

Promotion-chasing Chats drew 3-3 with Cray Wanderers in their top-four match in front of a crowd of more than 1,500 fans at the Bauvill Stadium.

Trailing to an eighth-minute effort by Kareem Isiaka, scoring against his old club, goals from defender Simon Cooper and joint-top scorer Tope Fadahunsi put Hake's men 2-1 ahead at half-time.

Alex Hernandez hit back for the Wands but Sam Sene-Richardson looked to have won it for Chatham, only for substitute Ashley Nzala - another player making his Bauvill Stadium return - to get Cray's injury-time leveller.

Hake said: "Saturday's 3-3 draw with Cray Wanderers was a real test and a great advert for the league - two sides going for it, end-to-end, and neither wanting to back down.

"Of course, we wanted to take all three points, but the unbeaten run continues and that's something we can take a lot of positives from.

"I thought the lads showed great character again. We came from behind, kept going, and tried to win the game right up until the end.

"That says a lot about the attitude and spirit in the group. The fans were brilliant once more.

"The noise and backing from the terraces make such a difference, especially when the games are coming thick and fast like they are right now.

"We've got a young team that's learning and improving every week, and that's really encouraging to see."

Third-placed Chatham drew 0-0 at home to Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday as they continue to compete on all fronts this season.

"The schedule has been relentless," admitted Hake. "We're playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday all the way through to the end of November.

"But that's part and parcel of being successful and competing on multiple fronts."

Chats are at Isthmian North Waltham Abbey in the FA Trophy first round this Saturday before attention turns to their big match at Buxton in the FA Cup first round.

The victors in Essex will win another £3,000 in prize money.

Chatham will be at Isthmian South East Erith Town in the Kent Senior Cup second round on Tuesday.

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