Goal shy United target forward

The U’s struggled to pose much of a threat in the final third against a Leatherhead side which picked up only their second point of the season on Tuesday night.

The blank scoreline means Jason Hopkinson’s outfit have managed only eight goals in nine league fixtures - the equal second lowest goal return behind the basement boys.

Hopkinson, who has additional funds available to specifically strengthen the team in attack, said: “I’ve spoken to three forwards in the last three weeks. I’ve spoken to Orient, I’ve spoken to Gillingham and I’m speaking to Brighton.

“I spoke to a lad at Eastbourne Borough - Ian Pulman - and he nearly signed. Margate came in for him at the last minute and offered him £100 more.”

Hastings are without a fixture this weekend due to scheduled opponents Aveley being involved in the FA Cup so the manager will take the opportunity to seek out a possible signing.

“I can’t afford to make a mistake,” he went on. “I’ve been offered two forwards but they’re not quite right for us. They’d cost me a bit of money and I haven’t got the money to waste. I need to get it right.

“I need a bit of pace. We haven’t got a big lump who can hold the ball up and we haven’t got anyone with a bit of pace and with a little bit about them.

“There’s one from Orient I really like. I nearly took him last year but I went for Ports instead. I like him, he’d be right for us.”

See today’s Hastings Observer for the full article.