Hythe Town caretaker manager Martin Chandler drew on his experience as under-14s boss when meeting Cannons players for the first time at Ramsgate match

Hythe caretaker boss Martin Chandler met his players for the first time when they arrived to take on Ramsgate.

Chandler, the club’s under-14s manager, didn’t know if he’d even be able to get a side out for the Good Friday match at Reachfields.

The former Hythe and Folkestone midfielder took the job on Wednesday after Nick Davis departed by mutual consent following the Cannons’ relegation from Isthmian South East.

Hythe lost 4-0 as Rams clinched the title but gave a good account of themselves before tiring in the closing stages.

They cleared their heads after conceding a third-minute opener and had chances to level before Rams extended their lead after half-time.

The final two goals came in the last 10 minutes.

“It’s just been a whirlwind 48/72 hours,” said Chandler, who will be running Hythe’s new under-23 side next season.

“All of Wednesday and half of Thursday, it was getting into the group chats for the players and seeing if we could get a team.

“We’ve had a full squad but it’s been a little bit mad.

“Everyone bar one put the thumbs up to play which is credit to them.

“I was a little bit worried because you never know if the players were only here for Nick and were loyal to him.

“I don’t know the players.

“Literally the first time I met them was 11.30am this morning when they walked into the stadium.”

Chandler drew on his experience in youth-team management to address the squad after introducing himself.

He got the hardworking performance he was looking for despite a seventh successive defeat for the Cannons.

“I’m a manager for the under-14s at Hythe so I almost go into manager mode anyway,” said Chandler, who will remain in charge for the final two games of the season.

“It’s a natural thing to say ‘This is how I want