Sheerness East were one of the few senior football teams in the county to see any action on Saturday.

With their Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield second round tie at Cray Valley postponed, East manager Dave Down was able to fix up a friendly at short notice with Ashford Town Reserves on the all-weather surface at Minster College.

Down, whose side haven’t played a competitive game since December 13, said: “Although we got beat 3-0 the result was irrelevant really. The game was hugely beneficial because it gave the lads a run-out and, considering the Christmas break and everything, they looked pretty good fitness-wise.”

The cup tie with Cray Valley has been rearranged for this Saturday, and Down added: “Cray Valley played a league game on January 3, and so it was important that we got a match under our belts before we play them.”