Danny Ward says Whitstable are preparing for the most important two fixtures of their pre-season schedule with Saturday’s friendly visit of Chatham and a trip to Thamesmead on Tuesday.

After pushing AFC Hornchurch all the way with a depleted side in a 2-1 defeat at The Belmont on Saturday, joint-boss Ward wants to test Town’s mettle against teams at the same level as them.

He said: “We’ve pushed Whitehawk and Hornchurch all the way but now we get to test ourselves against two teams at the same level as us. We’ll go with something close to a first-choice team, depending on who’s available and see how we get on.

“These are our most important games of pre-season because August 9 is coming round fast.”

Ward added: “We were missing two keepers, three centre-backs, a right-back, a central midfielder and a centre-forward but I thought we did all right."

Town’s Ryman League, Division 1 South fixtures for the next season have been revealed, with the Oystermen welcoming Walton & Hersham to The Belmont on Saturday, August 9.

A testing start continues with a trip to ambitious Hastings United two days later.