NICK Barnes has left Tonbridge for Fisher, but the Angels have recaptured defender Andy Larkin from Maidstone United.

Midfielder Barnes is the latest player to leave Longmead for "footballing reasons", but chairman Paul Dainty was encouraged by the fact that Larkin had rejoined.

He said: "I think players left us because they thought we were going to fall apart but they've suddenly realised that we have got a fantastic chance of winning the league and they trust Tony Dolby (the new manager)."

Maidstone boss Mal Watkins said he couldn't stand in Larkin's way. He stressed: "He feels he's still got a few years left to play at that level and he'd be stupid to turn it down.

"If we were romping the league maybe it would be different, but we can't hold him back and we wish him all the best."