Ankle injury sidelines Storie

Halstead Town striker Cameron Storie has been ruled out for the opening months of the Thurlow Nunn League season after suffering a broken ankle in the 3-3 draw with Witham Town on Saturday, writes Ken Watkins.

Storie, on target for the Humbugs who fought back from 3-0 down, was stretchered off late in the second half, and the ankle will be in a cast for six weeks.

“He was looking strong, and had just scored a good goal for us,” said manager Mark McLean. “It’s a blow for him. It’s six weeks in a cast and then it takes time to get back to fitness.”

McLean is disappointed to lose Storie, but is optimistic that Halstead can enjoy a better season in the newly-formed Division One South.

“We need to be nice and competitive, and more consistent than we were last season, and I believe we will be,” he added.

“I’m really happy with the squad I have and it’s been an encouraging pre-season.”

Halstead have beaten Debenham 4-3, a team they lost to twice last season, and drew with Witham, who beat them 3-0 prior to last season.

“Two different games. One where we had a lot of the ball, and one where we spent a lot of time without it. But we have a squad that can adjust quickly to the situation on the pitch,” he said.

Halstead are unbeaten in pre-season games so far – Saffron Walden were beaten 3-2 on Tuesday. They visit Haverhill Borough for their final pre-season game on Saturday (3pm).

Halstead host May and Baker on Saturday, August 4, just one of eight new teams in the division they will come up against this season.

“When you come to a club as a manager it takes time to get to know your players, and the other teams in the league,” said the boss.

“So this season will be a bit of an unknown quantity for a lot of teams in the division.”

“We know that at least a couple of the new teams will be very strong, and possibly two which will struggle.”