Manager Scott Lindsey named 11 changes as his young Chatham side were beaten 7-1 at West Wickham in the Kent Senior Trophy on Saturday.

The hosts, who sit top of Division 1 in the Southern Amateur League, raced into a 5-0 lead at the break, before scoring twice more in the second half. Holders Chatham scored a consolation through Timothy Ogunrinde.

Lindsey opted to rest his first-team ahead of Monday night's Southern Counties East Premier Division clash at K Sports, having played 120 minutes on back-to-back occasions against Beckenham in the FA Vase last week.

“I made 11 changes, I had to,” said Lindsey. “The first team boys played 120 minutes on Saturday, they played 120 minutes and penalties on Wednesday and we have a league game on Monday.

“Anybody who knows football would realise that that decision had to be made, to play everybody other than the first team. That was my thinking behind that.

“Not only that but it gave the opportunity for our youngsters to play in a more competitive game.

“I kind of knew it would pan out that way but it’s still a good experience for them, you either win or you learn. I’m sure some of those youngsters have learned a lot from that game and that will only stand them in good stead for the future.

“What was clear to see was that the standard they’re used to playing in is far away from the standard of a competitive men’s football match which we need to address.”

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In reaction to a tough first half, Lindsey introduced the experience of assistant boss Darren Smith at the interval as a means of assisting his back four.

He added: “We were quite light on the bench, I only had three substitutes and bought two on at half-time.

“My thinking behind putting Darren on was that the two really young centre-halves had found it difficult in the first half, so I thought I’d put Darren in between them just to try and help them and he did.

“We only lost the second half 2-1 as it were, I just wanted to try and help the two youngsters.”

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