HADLEIGH United’s new-look squad host Chelmsford City in an attractive pre-season friendly tomorrow.

It will be Stuart Crawford’s first match in charge since succeeding Peter Grant as manager of the Ridgeons League Premier Division side – and he has been busy rebuilding the squad since the end of last season.

Seven of last year’s squad have been retained and Crawford has so far added six new faces – Debenham Leisure Centre duo Mark Powling and Warren Taylor-Holt, Ollie Canfer from Stowmarket Town, Leiston’s Paul Hart, Luke Read (Felixstowe & Walton United) and Woodbridge Town’s Josh Mayhew.

Crawford, who is hoping to make further additions to his squad before the season starts, said: “I have kept the players I want and feel are good enough to take the club to the next level.

“The ones we have added have all got the right attitude and are all players with Premier Division experience. We didn’t score enough goals last season so I have tried to address that.”

Chelmsford, who ware managed by former Ipswich Town midfielder Glenn Pennyfather, just missed out on promotion from Blue Square South last season, losing 3-0 on aggregate to Bath City in the play-off semi-finals after finishing in third place.

The match kicks-off at the Millfield at 3pm.