Chatham’s preparations for their Easter Monday match against Whitstable were hampered after one of their players was hospitalised.

Forward Ricky Gundry was taken in for observation after contracting pneumonia.

Assistant boss Terry Groom received a second late blow when Jack Jeffrey was unable to play as he was on airport pick-up duty at the height of Storm Katie, meaning the arrivals were delayed.

Youngsters William Johnson-Cole and Josh Bray came in for Chatham who went ahead against a Whitstable side trying to avoid relegation from Ryman League, Division 1 South.

Luke Medley fired home with 22 minutes gone but Whitstable, with several new signings and under new boss Scott Porter, struck twice in seven minutes to turn the game.

Chatham have one eye on next season and will be giving the likes of Johnson-Cole and Bray more of a run-out in the last few games.

They also involved under-18 player Jordan Friend in the squad for the first time against Whitstable.

With the under-21s and first team squads both training together at Greenacre School in Walderslade on Thursdays, it makes the transition much easier.

“The youth are the future of the club,” said Groom. “Anyone doing OK in the under-21s and strong enough will be given a chance.”

Chatham travel to play-off hopefuls Hythe on Saturday, who have former player Alfie May banging in the goals for them this season.