Goal-friendly Chatham eased past fellow promotion-chasing team Billericay to consolidate second position in the Isthmian Premier table on Saturday.
A stunning free-kick by captain Jack Evans on a landmark appearance, alongside Kareem Isiaka’s first two goals of the afternoon and a header by Rowan Liburd, put Chats in control after Adam Leathers had sent them behind in the early stages.
Ricay pulled another back before the break but - with Chatham involved in a second goal-fest in the space of four days - Isiaka completed his hat-trick and top scorer Jamie Yila also got among the goals with a penalty as it finished 6-3.
Gary McCann’s men, looking to respond after successive defeats, had actually enjoyed the perfect start and went ahead in the fifth minute of a breathtaking match at the Bauvill Stadium in front of a crowd of 2,084.