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Chatham Town v Enfield Town Isthmian Premier Division play-off final – Manager Kevin Hake chasing third successive promotion

Any way will do for Chatham Town as they face a final challenge to clinch a third successive promotion.

It’s been dubbed the ‘impossible dream’ as Kevin Hake’s men look to claim their place in National League South, following on from back-to-back promotions.

Kevin Hake and assistant Danny Kedwell speak to their players as the team took another step closer to promotion on Wednesday night Picture: Max English
Kevin Hake and assistant Danny Kedwell speak to their players as the team took another step closer to promotion on Wednesday night Picture: Max English

More: Hake praises “unbelievable support”

Standing in their way on Monday are Enfield Town, a team who finished two points behind them in the Isthmian Premier Division. The two sides meet at Chatham’s Bauvill Stadium for a bank holiday promotion showdown.

Monday’s match comes just 10 days after they met in the league, a game that ended 2-2.

“We are really in dreamland to be honest,” said Chats chairman-manager Hake, who has led them from the Southern Counties East Premier Division with a bold vision to one day take the club into the Football League.

“To be looking at the chance to have three back-to-back promotions is unreal.

“We’ve had to go back to the drawing board with Enfield Town in the final, working out a way to play against them. The job is only half done.”

Chatham Town celebrate their play-off semi-final win over Horsham with home supporters Picture: Max English
Chatham Town celebrate their play-off semi-final win over Horsham with home supporters Picture: Max English
Manager Kevin Hake looks on as Chatham go on the attack Picture: Max English
Manager Kevin Hake looks on as Chatham go on the attack Picture: Max English

Enfield beat Wingate & Finchley 1-0 in their play-off semi-final on Wednesday while Chats eventually got the better of Horsham, winning their tie on penalties.

With the Enfield game having been so recent, they will be familiar foes.

Hake said: “It has been quite bizarre because we had only just played Horsham (before meeting in the play-offs) and now we play Enfield who we played last week.

“I am sure they will be looking at us and we will certainly be looking at them and it’s about finding a way, that’s what the boys have to do, like they did against Horsham, they found a way.

“We did it in the (Velocity Cup) final and found a way and we have to do the same again.”

Chatham Town beat Horsham on penalties to make it through to the Isthmian Premier Division play-off final Picture: Max English
Chatham Town beat Horsham on penalties to make it through to the Isthmian Premier Division play-off final Picture: Max English
Chatham Town captain Jack Evans congratulated by supporters after their win over Horsham Picture: Max English
Chatham Town captain Jack Evans congratulated by supporters after their win over Horsham Picture: Max English

Chatham’s second-place finish in the table means home advantage over Enfield, who ended the season third.

There was a sell-out crowd of 3,000 at the Bauvill Stadium for the Horsham game and it’s certain to be another full house as Hake’s men look to clinch another promotion.

Hake said: “It is big (to be at home) but I have to say, if the players show the heart that they have done in the last two games I would have gladly gone away anyway, but to have home advantage is good because we have a great record at home.”

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