Chatham Town lose Velocity League Cup final 3-2 against fellow Isthmian Premier Division side Billericay Town – Chichester City visit the Bauvill Stadium in the league this Saturday

Chatham Town’s manager was blown away by the support his team had at the Velocity Cup final and was gutted they couldn't celebrate a win.

A stoppage-time goal clinched a 3-2 victory for Billericay Town in Wednesday night’s final at the Parkside ground in Essex. Chatham had come from two goals down to make for a thrilling final before being beaten late on.

“It was disappointing to lose the final, particularly in the manner we did,” said Chats boss Kevin Hake.

“For the neutral, it must have been a great game to watch. They are a good side but we more than matched them on the night.

“The pendulum was swinging both ways and unfortunately we couldn’t get that third goal after getting the ball into some great areas.

“With the game looking like it’s going to extra-time they popped up with the winner, so fair play to them.

“We won the cup the year before in a similar manner so we can’t complain.”

Chatham went into the game as the holders of the cup after beating Hashtag United in last year’s final at the same venue.

Ben Steward and Frankie Merrifield scored for Billericay in the first half but Chats came storming back in the second. Jamie Yila halved the deficit three minutes after the restart and Kareem Isiaka levelled with another three minutes gone against his old team.

Billericay, who sit second in the Isthmian Premier Division table, snatched it as Bradley Williams headed home.

Hake said: “I am proud of the way we responded to being 2-0 down, as it shows great character and fight, which is something we demand of all our players who wear a Chatham shirt.

“It wasn’t our night, and that’s football sometimes, you just need to accept it and move on.

“I am always overwhelmed by the level of support we get at our games but it blew