EIGHT players have left Halstead Town and followed reserve-team manager Mark Hoskin to Cornard United.

Hoskin recently left to become first-team coach at Blackhouse Lane and he has already been replaced by the joint pairing of Alex McPhail and Lloyd Owers.

Eight players who played for him in Town’s reserve team have now followed him across the Suffolk border.

Among them is Stepney Thurgood, who has played for the club’s first team, in addition to Stuart Bryant, Jamie Wiles, Lee Smith, Keith Featherstone, Danny Newlove and brothers Gary and Scott Davis.

For the full story, see this week's Gazette.