Tuesday night sees the rescheduled clash between the Blues and Chatham Town. Despite the slight delay in this game taking place, the stakes are as high as ever, with neither side able to afford any sort of slip up, such is the compettion for play off places this season. After a couple of defeats on the road, the Blues got back to winning ways with an emphatic 3-0 win over Lewes at home on Saturday and will look to continue their good home form tonight.
Our Opponents Chatham Town are 2nd in the table with 55 points from their first 28 games in the Isthmian Premier League. This puts Chatham 4 places and 8 points above the Blues, Chatham having played one game more. The Chats have achieved back-to-back promotions to get to this position, being promoted as champions from the Isthmian South East division last season after promotion from the Southern Counties East Premier Division in April 2022. Despite being at their highest position in the pyramid in their 140-year history, the team from Medway are yet to show any signs of faltering in their quest for a third consecutive promotion this season, although currently look like they'll have to settle for play offs given the dominance of Hornchurch in first place.
Did you know?
Chatham Town were awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2022. This award is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Head to Head
We travelled to Chatham back in November, with the home side stealing all three points with a stoppage time winner. Ex-Gillingham midfielder Jack Evans put the Chats shortly before the hour mark before Anointed Chukwu converted a penalty to bring the scores level late in the second half. The game concluded with Ashley Nzala scoring in additional time at the death to break the hearts of the travelling Blues fans and keep all three points in Kent on that day.
Last time Out
Since the original date for this fixture, Chatham have continued their good start to 2024 with a 5-1 demolition win over Canvey Island and narrow 2-1 win away at Whitehawk either side of defeat in a 3-2 thriller against Hashtag United in which both teams ended the match with 10 men.
Meanwhile the Blues managed to reverse a brief downturn in fortunes with a clinical 3-0 win over Lewes on Saturday thanks to an Elliot Long brace and this Ruben Carvalho screamer.
Players To Watch
In the reverse fixture, young forward Jamie Yila changed the game for the Chats when he was introduced from the bench. The Blues will therefore be aware of the threat that he possesses if in the squad time around. Meanwhile veteran striker Danny Kedwell rolled back the years on Saturday to score the Chats' winner against Whitehawk. The 40-year old striker counts AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham among his former employers.
For the Blues, Elliot Long's brace within a minute takes him to 17 goals in all competitions this season, putting him above his fellow forwards Ruben Carvalho and Anointed Chukwu, both of whom will be looking to get on the scoresheet to close the gap in the race for top scorer this season. Meanwhile Luke Ifil made a solid return to the starting XI on Saturday and will need to be at his best again on Tuesday to keep Chatham's frontline at bay.
Adult tickets are available online until this afternoon or on the gate on matchday. Concessions tickets can be purchased on the gate with valid ID. Cash and card are accepted throughout the ground. For those unable to attend, we will have live commentary available for tonight's games available here.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Maurice Rebak Stadium - come on you Blues!
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