Dartford manager Ady Pennock has one eye on the future while also trying to build a team to challenge at the top.

Pennock is putting faith in some of the club’s youngsters like Sam Odaudu, Olly Box and George Whitefield, all of whom started on Tuesday night in a friendly against Gillingham, which ended in a 4-0 defeat.

Report: Dartford 0 Gillingham 4

The Darts coped well enough in the first half but we stung by two quickfire goals early in the second and struggled to make an impression after that.

For Pennock, he was looking beyond the game, which he knew would be tough.

“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “First half was very good, we had been working hard in training and we knew it would be a difficult night, but it was a good workout for both teams.

“We made some errors but we had to make changes at half-time with some niggles but overall I was very pleased.

“The biggest thing for me this season is that I want to get the youngsters involved because the youngsters here are good enough. I want to give them that opportunity and develop them for the first team.

“I want a good mix of youth and experience, which is very important.

“We have got some good ones here. We gave them a little taste at the end of last season when I came. It is quite positive for the future but there is a long way to go.

“I do enjoy what I am doing here but we have to build for the future, as well as getting back as soon as we can into the higher leagues.”

Dartford beat Isthmian South East side Ashford United 3-1 last Saturday at home.

The visitors hit the bar with an early free-kick but Box opened the scoring. United hit the bar again before the Darts scored a second through Callum Jones.

Teenage winger Gabe Campbell was among the second-half substitutions after signing before the game following a successful trial. Olopade set up Ashdon Day for the third goal.

Dartford are at home to National League side Sutton United on Saturday (3pm).