Carey aiming to surprise rivals

The newly appointed U’s skipper was in bullish mood as he discussed the team’s prospects ahead of the new campaign in the Ryman Premier.

The bookmakers have Hastings pegged as favourites for the drop but Carey is having none of it. He said: “We want to be in the top half and push on from last season. We’ve kept the group of players from last season which will stand us in good stead.

“We’re going to surprise a few people this year. According to the bookies we are favourites to go down but I think people are underestimating us a little bit and that could play into our hands.

“We’ve got a young squad but we’ve had that extra year together now. We know how each other plays and I don’t see us having any weaknesses. We’ve got a lot of quality in the squad this year.”

Midfielder Carey enjoyed a successful campaign last time out which saw him named a deserved winner of the club’s player of the season.

See Friday’s Hastings Observer for the full article.