by Andrew Gidley

Chatham Town youngster Michael Scott has started a six-week trial with Coca-Cola League 2 side Barnet.

The Bees have been tracking the England Schoolboy international for several months, watching him play for Kent Schools and for the club, before offering him the chance of earning a professional contract at the end of the season.

Scott (pictured) goes with the blessing of boss Alex O’Brien who said: "We had a call from Ryan Gordon, who is in charge of the academy at Underhill. Mike is a good lad with a fantastic attitude who will benefit from full-time training."

As one young talent leaves Maidstone Road, O’Brien is giving chances to two of the club’s promising under-18 squad, Ryan Laker and Tom Hill, both of whom have been given their first senior starts.

O’Brien added: "Ryan came in and did well. He is still young and has lots to learn but is a confident lad, while Tom has bundles of ability."

However, apart from John Wilfort’s 30-yard finish to put Chats 2-1 up and a late third for Rob Denness, there was little else for O’Brien to be happy about after a third successive defeat – 4-3 away at Corinthian Casuals – which dropped the Chats to 16th.

Chatham visit Horsham YMCA on Saturday.