Jake Cassidy spent last Friday night at a Braintree guest house waiting to meet his new Maidstone team-mates.

Striker Cassidy travelled down from his home in Leeds after agreeing a three-month loan move from Hartlepool.

He made his debut in United's win at Braintree on Saturday after the club found him a nearby room for the night.

The former Wolves man made a big impact from the bench and impressed again when Harry Wheeler's side beat Aldershot on Tuesday night.

Cassidy, 25, said: "I only came down late Friday night so it was the first time I've met the lads and the gaffer and they've welcomed me brilliantly.

"I think he's told all the lads it's a fresh start, he's new, the staff are new and they've brought in a lot of new players.

"The guest house was interesting, let's say that, but it was only a bed for a night."

Cassidy, a former Wales under-21 international, played against Maidstone on the opening day of the season.

He had interest elsewhere but picked the Stones after speaking to fellow loanee Simon Walton.

Cassidy said: "I know Simon very well. He just sold Harry and the club to me and he's an exciting young manager with a clear game plan and it's something I wanted to be a part of.

"It's getting back to playing football and doing what I love.

"The gaffer's given me a platform to come and do that.

"In the summer Hartlepool put me on the transfer list and said they needed to cut budgets, which was fair enough.

"They were open and honest with me.

"I wasn't going to play there, for non-footballing reasons in my opinion, and my opportunity came to get out."

Cassidy made 25 appearances over four years at Wolves and has also played for Tranmere, Notts County, Southend and Oldham.

He said: "I've had some good clubs but it's not gone as well as I'd have liked.

"Things happen, injuries and in your personal life, but I'm just focused now on getting back up that football ladder and seeing how far I can get."