11thaug03

Chatham trio facing struggle for fitness
Chatham Town played their penultimate pre-season friendly on Saturday beating Gravesend side Guru Nanak    3-1 with goals from Kevin Spriggs, Nick Berkhauer and John-Paul McKey, reports www.kentonline.co.uk

They play their final friendly on Tuesday evening when they entertain local club Bly Spartans at Maidstone Road.

Meanwhile, Chatham lost a close match with Dulwich Hamlet by the only goal at Maidstone Road on Wednesday night.

The club were without three injured players who are all hoping to be fit for the start of the season on Saturday.

Captain Steve Best is suffering a rib strain while strikers Steve Rutter (hamstring) and Danny Lombardo (ankle) also face fitness battles to be ready for the season kick off.

Manager Peter Coupland was holding talks with former Dartford and Folkestone midfielder Darren Smith this week and was hoping to announce a new signing.