John Embery was pleased to see new skipper Jono Richardson and Connor Wilkins come through unscathed in Herne Bay’s 2-1 friendly defeat at Sevenoaks on Tuesday night.

The pair played the whole 90 minutes in the game, arranged to give them and several others much-needed minutes on the pitch.

Joint-boss Embery said: “Jono has had viral meningitis, while Connor was in hospital on Friday night with tonsillitis.

“It was important they both played and did well. We went into the game without a recognised striker and had to play midfielders up top.”

Nassim Dakali got Bay’s goal.

Another setback, though, was midfielder Alex Skinner suffering an ankle injury.

Bay lost 3-1 at home to Heybridge Swifts on Saturday, also missing a penalty but Embery wasn’t unhappy with the performance against the Bostik North outfit.

He said: ”We played well against a good side but again mistakes cost us, conceding sloppy goals.”

Embery’s son Jake has also been affected by tonsillitis, one of several players who return from holiday this week set to feature against another Bostik North side, Cheshunt at Winch’s Field on Saturday (3pm).

The game has been switched due to Essex Senior League club FC Romania, who groundshare with the Hertfordshire club, being drawn at home in the FA Cup.

Bay start at home to Lewes in Bostik South on Saturday week and Embery said: “We can’t wait to get going.

“We are pleased with what we have and are also hoping to sign another two players who featured against Heybridge on Saturday.”