Chatham Town face James Collins’ Bowers & Pitsea side on Saturday in the FA Trophy

Chatham Town come up against their old manager for a place in round two of the FA Trophy.

It’s a game which starts a busy run of fixtures for Chatham as they look to climb the Isthmian Premier Division table while pursuing knockout success.

Bowers & Pitsea - managed by ex- boss James Collins - host them this Saturday.

Current manager Kevin Hake knows they’ll need everyone to play their part.

He said: “We’re going into a busy period of games where we have to play 10 games before the end of November.

“This is largely due to us remaining in the cups so it’s a good thing.

“A large squad is essential to cope with these periods so we will have to lean on the whole squad to get through gaining the best results possible.

“We start with a tough tie away to Bowers & Pitsea in FA Trophy on Saturday and then play Ascot away Tuesday night in [the] Velocity Cup.

“We know we have our work cut out if we are to progress in the next round of the competitions so a good week on the training ground is definitely required.”

Collins’ side are struggling this season in the Isthmian Premier but claimed a win at home to Chichester City last Saturday.

Chats are two points better off than their FA Trophy hosts and enjoyed a fine second-half fightback against Potters Bar at the weekend.

Hake’s side were looking to build on their 4-1 midweek win at Cray Wanderers but found themselves two goals down at the break, prompting some strong words from the manager.

“It was a typical game of two halves,” Hake said.

“We knew Potters Bar would be a tough proposition as they are the in-form team in the division.

“In my opinion we gifted them two goals and after that it’s always going to be an uphill battle.

“We had some honest conversations at half-time.”

Reece