NATIONAL LEAGUE N + S IN BRIEF

THREE of Hampton & Richmond Borough’s team that made the National League South play-offs last season have signed up for next term. The Beavers were beaten by eventual promotion winners Ebbsfleet in the semi-finals but have made a promising start to their summer preparations. Striker Duncan Culley and defenders Tom Jelley and Nathan Collier have all agreed to remain at the club for next season Boss Paul Dowson said: “There’ll be more signings like this during the summer. We’re ticking along nicely.”

CURZON ASHTON have received a big boost after defender Jonathan Hunt signed up for another season. The centre-back was a big part of the Nash side that finished comfortably mid-table in their second campaign in the competitive National League North. Hunt is the current longestserving member of John Flanagan’s squad and his performances last season led to him being named both the fans’ and players’ player of the year.

CHELMSFORD CITY have signed experienced striker Lee Barnard from Essex rivals Braintree Town. The 32-year-old has plenty of Football League experience with the likes of Leyton Orient, Southend United, Southampton, Bournemouth and Crawley. The Romford-born forward said: “Chelmsford’s a big club, a local club for me, and I’m really excited to get started now.” The Clarets have also brought in Whitehawk midfielder Michael West and defender Paul Rodgers from Bishop’s Stortford.

SALFORD CITY have added to their summer spree with the signing of two youngsters from Football League clubs. The Ammies have swooped to sign 19-year-old left-back Josh Askew following his release by Blackburn Rovers. And they followed that up on Friday with the capture of striker Jake Beesley, 20, who has agreed a move to Moor Road for a two-year term when his contract with Chesterfield expires at the end of June. Also on board for joint bosses Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s next season is former Tranmere midfielder Lois Maynard.

NORTH FERRIBY UNITED attacker Curtis Bateson will spend another year at the club having agreed a deal for the new season. Bateson, 21, has scored 18 times in 89 appearances since joining the side from Scunthorpe United in January 2015. He was a key part of the Villagers side that gained promotion in 2016, though they were relegated back to Step 2 this year.