Double swoop boosts Jay’s defensive options
Maidstone signed two new centre-halves on the eve of the season. First through the door was Alex Finney, who joined on loan from Championship club QPR last Thursday. He was followed 24 hours later by Alex Wynter after League 2 Colchester agreed to cancel his contract. Finney, 21, went straight into the team against Maidenhead. He said: “I’m quite mobile, I’d like to think I’m good in the air, I try to read the game well and my mentality as a footballer is winning. “I’ve got a desire to win. That’s what drives me, the winning, so hopefully I can implement that into the games. “I don’t think I’ll need long to find my feet. “They’re good boys down here, I like the manager, he speaks to me well and tells me what he wants, so I feel like I’ll hardly knew anyone.
But if they were supposed to be nervous, nobody told Hare as the young defenders hit it off.
Hare said: “I met Alex for the first time on Thursday but you just know sometimes.
“Even from one training session, you could see he was a good player and he proved that. He talks well, he’s a good player and it could be a good partnership.
“Alex Wynter has come in as well – I know him well and it’s a good signing for the club – plus there’s Magnus Okuonghae to come back, so there’s good competition. I was just happy to be slot in perfectly.” Stones boss Jay Saunders had been chasing Finney before Kevin Lokko’s departure. He said: “I’ve seen him, I’ve also spoken to a few people who know him, people he’s played under, like Phil Parkinson at Bolton and they all spoke highly of him. “I think he’s now at a stage where he just needs to go out and get more regular firstteam games.” Wynter, 23, started his career at Crystal Palace and had loan spells at Portsmouth, Eastbourne and Sutton before joining Colchester in January 2015. He made 54 league and cup appearances for the U’s. Wynter said: “I’ve got a few games under my belt now at Colchester in League 1 and League 2, so it can only put me on the right foot to push on. “There’s some huge teams in this league that came down from League 2 last year. “I know it’s not going to be a breeze, it’s going to be tough but I’m looking forward to the challenge.” Saunders said: “He’s got experience, he’s still a good age but he’s got that experience of playing this league and above, so I’m pleased to get him on board.”