Dean Saunders: ‘It was men against boys’

With goalkeeper Evandro Rachoni de Lima and midfielder Matt Fletcher signing non-contract terms ahead of the game, it’s unlikely deals for them will now be forthcoming following the showing of the team.

Saunders said: “Some of them had a chance to show me what they could do, but it was like men against boys to be honest.

“Sometimes you learn more from a result like that than you do from cruising through 2-0 so it has helped me make decisions on some players.

“I simply haven’t got a squad. I have got to get some players in. We certainly need a goalkeeper before Saturday’s game at Rochdale, possibly two, and I’m close to signing an outfield player who will improve us, hopefully in the next 48 hours.”

Dean confirmed that the appearances of trialists of Evandro Rachino De Lama and striker Matt Fletcher were for last night’s game only.

He added: “We were struggling to get a team out. I didn’t really want to play Joe or Sonny Bradley or bring Jimmy Smith on. The two trialists registered on Tuesday because we’ve got a lot of injuries to help us out for that game basically.

“Fair play to Whitehawk, they have got a lot of experience in their team at their level and we had a lot of players without any appearances and it showed.

“But the Sussex Senior Cup at this moment in time is not my priority.”