Pitchero Non League

Jamie Weston

....Peterborough Northern Star, has made capturing highly-rated defensive talent Lewis Stone his top priority this summer.

Yaxley ace Stone played for Star in their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday night – a match that ended in a 4-1 victory over March Town United – and Weston hopes to persuade him to sign on the dotted line by the end of the week.

Stone is also a target for fellow UCL Premier Division club Blackstones, but the smart money is on him joining Star.

"Lewis has been one of my top targets all summer,” admitted Weston. “He likes what we’ve had to say and it was great to get him out in the friendly the other night.

“He wants to progress in the game and this could be just the right move for him at just the right time.

“He is someone who will go on to play higher than UCL level but I would dearly like to have in my team before the happens.”

Stone was not the only Yaxley player lining up for Star on Tuesday. Attacker Luke Hipwell joined him.

Hipwell, who had a spell with Star last season, has also spent time at Blue Square Bet North side Histon this summer and is currently keeping his options open.

March duo Luke Pepper and Ash Brand also remain on the wanted list (Star face a fight with Yaxley for the services of those two players) as does young striker Connor Murphy, who impressed with a couple of goals on Tuesday. Murphy has also trained with league rivals Spalding United this summer but is probably unlikely to force his way into their all-star squad.

Weston is also keen to snap up a goalkeeper after original target Richard Lavin pulled out of a move for personal reasons. Former March man Lee Brooks played in goal on Tuesday.

But Weston is running out of patience with midfielder Ali Nyang, who was a star performer for the club last season. Nyang is yet to attend a Star training session this summer and has been given until the end of today to commit or move on.

Currently only six senior players from last season’s squad remain. They are Matt Cook, Wayne Morris, Ollie Medwynter, Liam Hook, Mark Cox and Jack Bloodworth.

Weston added: “I fully expected a lot of the good players here to move on so it’s no surprise that has happened. But I’m very happy with the way the squad is taking shape.”

Tags: News | Peterborough Northern Star

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