THE thought of Folkestone Invicta at home and then Merstham away might not fill many people with festive cheer, but Chipstead boss Steve Baker insists they are certainly not games his side fear.
After a run of poor form in October and November, Chipstead's performances have picked up in recent weeks with 2-1 wins against East Grinstead Town and most recently Hastings United.
On Saturday, Baker was pleased it was Chipstead's opposition who failed to hang onto a lead for once, as the east Surrey side came from behind to beat Hastings United.
Hastings took the lead through Taser Hassan just before half-time before defender Steve Betancourt equalised with a shot from distance and then the Chips got a 72nd minute winner, although the goal-scorer remains a High Road mystery.
"It went down as Will Turl's goal but I was probably as close to it as he was." Baker laughed. "Will took a shot and then our other striker Derek Tieku has run in with a couple of defenders and somehow the ball has ended up in the back of the net.
The Chips boss is hoping to continue that form as they host Folkestone on Saturday before travelling the short distance to the Moatside on December 27.
"We had a little bit of a sticky spell but we sat the players down before the East Grinstead game and they have responded well," Baker explained. "Folkestone and Merstham won't be easy games but they certainly aren't games I look at and think we can't get anything out of them.
"Since I've been at Chipstead we have always played well against the top teams and hopefully that will continue. In my first game when we were bottom of the league, we beat Walton Casuals who were the leaders at the time, and we did the double over Folkestone last season, so we're confident."
