Chatham Town vs Herne Bay - Friendlies Clubs

Tactical intrigue takes centre stage on July 7, 2026 as Chatham Town and Herne Bay prepare to square off at the home ground, with both managers known for their strategic nuance in the Friendlies Clubs. That coronation came from City's £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson - and has been hotly debated in the build-up to the Manchester derby Super Sunday showdown at Old Trafford, which you can watch live on Sky Sports.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the Friendlies Clubs contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. If you're Arsenal and wanting to win the Premier League, and you take six points off those teams, then you're near-on winning the Premier League.

The tactical subplot is compelling: Chatham Town favour a possession-based game built on patience and control, while Herne Bay are happiest sitting deep and exploding forward on the counter — a classic contrast of philosophies. There is interest in adding another forward player who can play in one of those wide No 10 roles behind the striker in the 3-4-2-1 formation that Sage is expected to continue with at Selhurst Park.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Despite these links, United will not be parting ways with the Slovenian striker.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Friendlies Clubs standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Fulham's Antonee Robinson could be one of those, who would likely be a cheaper alternative to Hall, who has just enjoyed a breakout season with the Magpies.