United unity is instant – Hastings boss buoyed by squad spirit
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The new man in charge at the Pilot Field has assembled a squad with half a dozen new faces after numerous members of last season’s squad followed boss Gary Elphick out of the door.
They played their first game a week ago – losing 2-0 in a useful workout away to a Bromley XI – are are in action again tomorrow at Ramsgate and on Tuesday at Eastbourne Town.
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Hide AdThey’ve had several training sessions too and Barnes is delighted with progress as next month’s start of the Isthmian premier season looms large.
"There’s a great spirit among the players,” Barnes told us.
"I’ve not seen a group so together and with such a strong bond in such a short space of time, which obviously bodes well.
"Players don’t always enjoy pre-season but the boys are looking forward to the games ahead.”
Barnes said the players on duty at Bromley lasr Thursday night were a mix of expected first-team regulars, academy boys and trialists.
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Hide AdA similar mixture will be seen at Ramsgate as Barnes and assistant Craig Stone start to mould the squad into one they feel can do well in 2023-24.
Barnes added: “There have been a couple of trialists who we have told they’re not who we’re looking for, but a couple of others showing promise who we want to keep looking at. We want a well-balanced suqad.”