Assistant manager Darren Beale admits there is plenty of work still to do as the countdown to Hythe Town’s new Ryman League Division 1 South season continues.

A 3-0 defeat against a strong Maidstone United side at Reachfields on Tuesday night was a third successive game without a goal, and Beale admits they are lacking an out-and-out striker.

He said: “Maidstone were a strong side and it was a good test for us, but we were the poorer of the two sides in the first half. We have been working on tempo in games, and we were a bit lacklustre, but played better in the second half.

“We were lucky to be only 2-0 down at half-time, but the minimum requirement was not to concede again, which we didn’t do until just before the end.”

Beale added: “We played Jordan Wells (blue shirt) up front, with Sam Conlon just behind in the first half and he (Sam) worked his socks off.

“Craig Thompson came on in the second half, and proved a real handful for the Maidstone back four.”

Trialist Ryan Philpott got another run-out, while James Morrish was back after being sent-off at Lordswood last week.

Teenage pair Harry Carr and Jamie White were also both involved again.

The two products of the club’s Stars and Stripes youth team have both signed Ryman League forms.

Hythe travel to Chatham Town in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday (3pm).