United boss makes his move

Jordan Woodley and Sam Adams line-up a free kick during Hastings United's 1-0 loss at home to AFC Sudbury last weekend. Picture by Terry S. Blackman

The U’s currently sit second in Ryman Football League Division One South and are just two points adrift of leaders Walton Casuals with three games in hand.

Maggs said: “It’s been a very, very busy week. We’ve put in four seven-day letters for players and I’m also talking to two other players which I’m allowed to talk to. They’re all what I would call players that would play in the side; not triallists - which I’m also doing.

“There’s a big possibility that I will get one wrapped up for Saturday. It could be two, but I’m hoping definitely for one and hopefully by Monday night another one.”

Two of the approaches are for strikers, one of whom is Crawley Down Gatwick forward Trevor McCreadie. Rye United joint manager Marc Gall confirmed that the U’s had made an enquiry for their new signing Tom Vickers, the midfielder who played for United last season, and the other approach is for a left-back.

Josh Hare’s one-month loan at United is due to expire after the visit from Walton & Hersham today (Saturday), but Maggs is talking to Gillingham about the possibility of extending his stay by a further month.

Central defender Sean Kelly returns from suspension for today’s game so Hare could switch to full-back given that he can play anywhere across the back line. Bailo Camara is also back, while Tim Olorunda has two more matches to run on his ban.

Andy Henson damaged his knee playing for the under-21s and is likely to be out for a fortnight. United have released Sean Ray and their former player-manager has signed for Ryman Premier high-flyers Kingstonian.

Elsewhere today, Rye United will host Horsham YMCA in Sussex County League Division One, while in Division Two, Bexhill United travel to Steyning Town, Little Common are away to Haywards Heath Town and Westfield visit Saltdean United. All matches will kick-off at 3pm.