Newmarket Town manager Michael Shinn working to bolster attacker after departures of Josh Lee to Maldon & Tiptree and Jose Santa de la Paz to Ipswich Wanderers

After previously rejecting numerous approaches, Josh Lee has left Newmarket Town.

The frontman quickly established himself as a key player following his arrival from neighbouring Mildenhall Town in July 2023, with his return of 20 goals helping the Jockeys to secure promotion to Step 4 for the first time in the club’s history.

And the goals have continued to flow at a higher level for Lee, who has found the back of the net on nine occasions this term.

His form in front of goal captured the attention of other clubs, but the ex-Haverhill Rovers attacker was happy with life at the Tristel Stadium.

However, having recently taken on a new job in London, Lee’s circumstances have changed and last week he decided to accept an offer to join fellow Pitching In Isthmian League North Division outfit Maldon & Tiptree.

Boss Michael Shinn said: “Josh works in London now and he’s looking to move to Essex to make that an easier fit, so it made a lot of sense for him to sign for Maldon.

“There was probably five approaches for him this season and he’d always said no. He was enjoying his football with us and didn’t see the need to move on.

“But last Tuesday against Cambridge City, he didn’t arrive until 7.15pm because of his work and that made him have a rethink.

“He’s done brilliantly for us. When he signed he’d not scored lots of goals elsewhere, but he really took off last season and gained some confidence.

“An injury set him back a little bit and he was a bit in and out at the start of this season as he worked his way back to fitness, but once he’d got a couple of goals he kicked on again. He’s going to be a big miss.”

On the same day that Lee’s departure was confirmed, Newmarket also announced that fellow forward Jose Santa de la Paz had opted to link up with Ipswich Wanderers.

As a result, Shinn is eager to bolster his attacking options, with one approach already made.

He added: “Jose wanted more playing time than he had been getting. We had a chat and I asked him to be patient because things change quickly in football, but he decided to move on and then Josh left as well.

“We’ve targeted one player and we’re hoping to get that deal over the line, maybe early next week.

“And we’ve also got Stan (Leech). He’s been doing really well recently. He’s had to be patient as well and his attitude has been first class.”

Newmarket started life without Lee and De La Paz on Saturday by losing 5-2 away at Walthamstow.

Midfielder Ally Conway gave the visitors an early lead with eight minutes on the clock before hosting Walthamstow scored four goals to take control.

Leech added a late consolation for Newmarket but the final say went the way of the home side when Tayo Oyebola notched a fifth goal.

Newmarket, who are 21st and four points from safety, will have home advantage on Saturday when they take on eighth-placed Heybridge Swifts (3pm).