Charman impressed by refreshed Horsham

And the player/assistant manager felt Saturday’s point away at Corinthian-Casuals was a step in the right direction to the positive end to the season he so craves.

Both clubs had some chances to take all three points, but in the end Charman felt the 0-0 result was a fair reflection of a closely-fought game.

He said: “It was a fair result. We started the better for the first 15, 20 minutes without creating a great deal, but the last ten minutes of the second half they were on top and in a way we were a bit lucky to go in at half-time level pegging.

“The second half was very even, the last ten or so minutes both of us were pushing and either team could have nicked it.”

The Hornets have 12 league games of the season remaining, starting with Tuesday’s visit of in-form Faversham. The side have averaged just over a point a game so far in their 30 Ryman South matches but Charman is convinced they can improve on that ratio between now and the end of the season.

“I’ve said to the players I’m targeting 18 points from the remaining games and I want us to finish the season strong,” Charman said. “Yes it’s ambitious, but we’ve got lots of home games, some tough but a lot winnable, and I think the players we’ve signed will help us.

“It’s obvious to say that we need a win but I do feel like that’s coming, and it doesn’t take much to start on a good run. Confidence on the pitch will be low before we get a win, but in the dressing room and at training the mood is good and we’ve got to take that into our games.”

Charman praised one of those new additions, Jahmal King, for another assured display in defence on Saturday, while also being impressed with new striker Trevor McGreadie. Karly Akehurst, signed from Burgess Hill on Friday made his debut from the bench, and with Charman himself hoping to be back from a groin injury too he hopes a refreshed squad can lighten the mood following a winless start to 2013.