Hunt for new talent goes on

Prolific Eastbourne Town striker Billy Medlock has turned down a seven-day approach from United and elected to stay at The Saffrons.

United manager John Maggs said: “I spoke to him a couple of times on Wednesday and it resulted in him not wishing to join Hastings. He feels that he’s doing well at Eastbourne Town and terms didn’t even come into it really.

“I’m continuing with another option with a forward because the Medlock thing broke down. I don’t know if it will be done in time for Saturday, but I feel very confident that the following Saturday we will have an addition in that area.”

The search for a striker becomes particularly pressing now that Trevor McCreadie could be out for up to four weeks with the leg injury which forced him off against Herne Bay on Monday night.

X-rays have revealed no breaks or ligament damage and just a badly bruised shin. McCreadie is regarded as a quick healer and will hope to return sooner than projected.

Maggs is also in the market for a defender as United seek to bolster their Ryman Football League Division One South promotion bid.

“The search goes out for another defender which I’m working on,” continued Maggs. “Whether it’s in time for Saturday I don’t know, but hopefully next week we will see some movement. There was a defender who looked more or less certain to sign, but the manager has changed his mind as such.”

See today’s Hastings Observer for the full article.