Lovell upbeat despite pre-season defeats

The experienced former League player and Welsh international is fully aware that these matches are all about getting fit and integrating new signings into the set-up, and reverses against the likes of Tunbridge Wells and Hythe Town will soon be forgotten if Hastings get their Ryman Division One campaign off to a flying start.

"I'm not bothered by the results, not bothered at all," he said. "I've done pre-seasons where we've won every game and then gone on to lose the first three or four matches so I don't take any notice of the results. All I take notice of is the personnel, the fitness and it gives me a chance to play everybody and look at what my best starting XI will be."

Hastings bringing the curtain down on their pre-season programme with a visit from Chatham Town on Saturday August 7, kick-off 3pm.

Lovell will use the Chatham match as a run-out for the team he intends to field when the season proper kicks-off at home to Fleet Town on August 14.

There might be one or two surprises such as Peter Sayer, who missed the vast majority of last season after breaking his leg, being played in the hole behind the two forwards in a 4-3-1-2 formation after impressing over the last couple of weeks. The experienced Steve Smith is another player who has done well.

Lovell revealed: "I've got a very good idea of what my team will be but it's just a question of trying to accommodate one or two players who have done very well in pre-season; those players who perhaps didn't do as well last year but have made me sit up and think maybe I can change it a little bit."

Triallist Dex Fidyk was expected to get another run out against Eastbourne, but Gillingham midfielder Jon Wallis, who has signed for Hastings, played for Folkestone Invicta in midweek and could be a target for the higher grade Kent club.

Two other Gills, goalkeeper Danny Knowles and defender Leon Solomon, have put pen to paper at the Pilot Field, and one or two more players could still be arriving in the scramble to find a club before the big kick-off.

Ricky Spiller has joined Dover Athletic while the future of Mark Green remains unclear. The defender was having trials with Dagenham & Redbridge, but Lovell hasn't closed the door on a possible return.

Summing up pre-season, Lovell said: "I'm very happy with the way it's gone - everybody's committing themselves. They are a great bunch of lads and I'm looking forward to the season."

For the record, Hastings were beaten 4-0 by Worthing on Saturday and 3-2 by Dartford on Tuesday, with Carl Rook scoring twice.