Chatham Town are hoping for another big occasion at the Bauvill Stadium when a Gillingham XI come to town on Friday night.
It’s the first of two home games in two days as they host East Grinstead on Saturday in a 3pm fixture.
Kevin Hake’s men are gearing up for another shot at Isthmian Premier Division promotion and were in action last Saturday when they were beaten 2-0 away at Worthing.
Hake said: “We knew Worthing would be a strong test on Saturday. They’re a top side who will be right up there in the Conference South this season.
“That’s the level we aspire to be at, but despite the loss, there were plenty of positives to take.
“Now we turn our focus to two more big challenges.
“Gillingham are sending a strong XI on Friday night to the Bauvill and that will be another great occasion for the club and a good benchmark for the group.
“Then we go again quickly on Saturday, at home against East Grinstead, which will be another tough test for the squad.
“These are the kinds of games we want as they stretch us, they show us where we’re at, and they help us keep building towards the new season.”
Looking ahead to the game, Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth said: “With the amount of players we’ve got in the squad at the moment, there are some (professionals) on the fringes (that will play).
“Damien Theodore obviously didn’t feature (at Ebbsfleet) and Harry Waldock (was an unused substitute).
“We have to make sure they are getting minutes as well. They’re part of a professional outfit here at Gillingham and then we start whittling the squad down to who’s going to make an impact in League 2 this season, because 29 is too much for me.”
Right-back Harry Webster played 65 minutes for the Gills at Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night and could be involved against Chats, a team he spent time with on loan last season.
Chatham Town face an away start in the Isthmian Premier Division season, which gets under way on August 9.
The fixtures for 2025/26 have recently been published.
Newly-promoted Ramsgate will be the first league visitors to the Bauvill Stadium and the season’s first Kent derby for Chats, heading to town on Tuesday, August 12.
That game is followed by a home match against Cheshunt on Saturday, August 16.
Big games to look forward to include a Bank Holiday Monday home game against Folkestone on August 25 and a return match on January 3.
Dartford visit the Bauvill Stadium for a festive fixture on Saturday, December 27. Chats’ return match at Princes Park takes place on Easter Monday (April 6).
The regular season ends on Saturday, April 25, with Hake’s men at home to Lewes.
Chatham Women, meanwhile, continued their build-up towards the new season with a behind-closed-doors friendly match against Charlton Athletic Women.
Keith Boanas’ side were set to face an away game against a London City Lionesses team this Sunday but their WSL opponents have now withdrawn from the fixture.
