Scott Lindsey has dismissed suggestions Southern Counties East will be a two-horse race between Chatham and Sheppey.

There was nothing between them in the recent Post-Lockdown Friendly Tournament with two draws in the group stage before Chats won the final on penalties.

They’re two ambitious clubs, packed with quality, but Chats boss Lindsey feels it would be wrong to write off other teams.

He said: “It would be disrespectful for me to comment on that and say it’s just between us and Sheppey to win the league because I actually don’t think it will be like that.

“All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and look at what we’re doing, what pre-season games we’ve got and what our training programme looks like.

“Every single game in this league is tough.

“Whether you’re playing teams at the top or the bottom, they’re all difficult opponents.”

Chatham built on their tournament success by coming from two goals down to beat a Gillingham XI 3-2 last Saturday.

Chris Lawal, Josh Strouts and Jordy Robins turned the match around for Lindsey’s men.

“We only had nine or 10 days off from the end of the tournament,” said the Chats boss. “Gills were quite strong, it wasn’t just a youth team, they had young pros as well.

“When you’re a full-time club the fitness levels are different to a non-league club, they came out of the blocks fast and we found it hard to settle into the game.

“It took us 20 minutes but once we found our rhythm, we looked good after that. It was a really good test, a competitive game and it was pleasing to come from 2-0 down.”

Lindsey is delighted to have former Folkestone and Margate defender Liam Friend on board.

The experienced centre-back has played hundreds of games in the Isthmian League.

“He’s someone I know from Folkestone and he brings with him probably north of 500 games at a good level,” said Lindsey.

“We’ve missed someone like him in the backline with that experience and dominance and his professionalism. He’s one who can drag the boys along.

“I spoke to him at length a couple of months back and did a presentation to show him how we play, how we work and where he’d fit in.

“We left him alone for a few weeks and then we were able to get it over the line.”

Lindsey has also converted goalkeeper Henry Newcombe’s loan move from Folkestone into a permanent deal.

“Neil Cugley didn’t really want to move him on but he couldn’t guarantee he’d play every week,” said Lindsey.

Chatham visit Folkestone on Tuesday and welcome Ebbsfleet to Maidstone Road on Wednesday.

Lindsey said: “We’re going to mix it up for those two games but both squads will be relatively strong.

“I’ve got two or three players who aren’t fit and the only way to get fit is minutes on the training pitch and in games.”

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