Chatham, red shirts, started their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 win over Herne Bay. Picture Phil Houghton.

Chatham Town have won their first silverware this season with the new Ryman League, Division 1 South campaign still three weeks away.

They lifted the Titch Willett Trophy in a 3-1 victory at Kent League runners-up Herne Bay on Saturday, their first pre-season friendly, but lost 2-1 at home to Essex Senior League champions Stansted on Tuesday.

Nick Hegley, Ryan Restall, and Callum O’Shea scored against Bay but it came at a cost with goalkeeper James Tedder forced off after a nasty eye injury following an accidental clash of heads with home scorer Luke Harvey.

Tedder needed several stitches and missed the Stansted game but will see a doctor on Friday and may play in Saturday's friendly against Hythe.

Assistant manager Mark Newson said: "It was a nice surprise to win a trophy at Herne Bay. Our players were warming down at the end when an announcement asked for our captain (Gary Ward) to go up and receive it.

"We used two teams in each half in the game against Stansted but it’s always difficult trying to give every player enough minutes on the pitch."