Maidstone v Hastings

MAIDSTONE have moved to solve their goalkeeping problems by signing former Thamesmead and Cray stopper Steve Northwood.

Northwood was released from Ryman Division 1 North side Redbridge and Stones co-manager Alan Walker said: "He's someone I've known for a few years and he recently became available. He's been signed to vie for a place with Pat Mullin.

"Ever since Chris Peck left we've been trying very hard to sign someone, but signing someone of the right standard has been the problem."

Whether Northwood makes his debut at home to Hastings United in the Ryman Premier Division on Saturday remains to be seen.

According to Walker: "Pat Mullin thinks he’ll be ok and touch wood I think everyone else came through the Heybridge game. I’ve not had any reports of injuries and Alex Tiesse will be back from Leatherhead."

Injured defender Lee Shearer was forced to play in goal during the 2-1 midweek defeat at Heybridge Swifts because the Stones did not have any cover.

Previous sub Peck moved on after failing to impress the management, before the club tried to sign a Polish keeper, who subsequently returned to Poland for Christmas.

Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown speaks about a traumatic week for the club in this week's Kent Messenger.