Dean assesses Senior Cup exit
There was some good news for Interim Manager Dean Saunders following last night’s Senior Cup exit with the news that Joe Walsh will not be suspended for any League games following his red card in the 6-1 loss to Conference South Whitehawk.
The FA confirmed this morning that the three-match ban only applies to what it deems as non-first team games, such as county cup competitions like the Sussex Senior Cup.
With eight players injured and unavailable last night Dean gave some of the fringe players in the squad a chance to impress but despite taking the lead through Lewis Young an experienced Whitehawk side ran out easy winners, scoring four unanswered goals in the second half including two penalties.
Dean said: “It was good to get the chance to watch some of the players who haven’t been in the first team but it was men against boys really.
“We need to get some players in. We’ve brought in Darren Ward and Blair Anderson, who is here on non-contract terms, but 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 above but the Sussex Senior Cup at this moment in time is not my priority.”
