Kevin Watson has defended Chatham’s disciplinary record after they had seven players booked at Waltham Abbey in midweek.

Chats, who had Liam Hickey sent off for violent conduct on the first day of the season, have also given away penalties in each of their first two Ryman League Division 1 North games.

Watson said: "People will think we’re an ill-disciplined team, but I certainly don’t see us like that.

"You might think that’s a biased viewpoint, and it probably is, but I look at my players and I don’t see anyone who’s malicious.

"We had a couple booked for dissent, though, and that’s unacceptable. We certainly need to deal with that."

Chatham lost 3-2 at Waltham Abbey so they head to Heybridge Swifts on Saturday with three points from their first two games, having beaten Dereham 3-1 last weekend.

Watson said: "It would have been nice to take a point on Tuesday. That would have put us on track.

"If we win on Saturday, I’ll be happy with six points from three games, but if we don’t, and we’re three from three, that’s not where we want to be."

Kane Phillip is unavailable for the Heybridge game and will also miss the visit of Brightlingsea Regent on Tuesday.