RHYS Barber has signed for Felixstowe & Walton United.

Barber, who spent six seasons at Needham Market, played for the Seasiders in last night’s 2-0 pre-season defeat at Maldon & Tiptree.

The Needham Market captain had played a couple of matches on trial at Bury Town after failing to agree terms with the Bloomfields club, but has now joined the Seasiders.

Felixstowe & Walton United went down to a brace of first-half goals at Park Road last night against a new look Maldon & Tiptree side that have strengthened their squad significantly during the summer.

Liam Jones made an early error as he stretched to punch away a deep cross from the right but ended turning the ball into his own net with just three minutes on the clock.

The home side produced some slick football to stretch the visitors’ defence but they were coping well against the lively pair of Wareham and Wall and as the half progressed they came more into the game with Maldon’s Joe Wright the busier of the two ‘keepers.

The second goal came three minutes from half time as The Seasiders were caught pushing forward in search of an equaliser allowing Maldon to break quickly, the visitors blocked the initial effort from Toner but Wareham following up stabbed the ball home from eight yards.

The second half saw both sides use up their full quota of five substitutes but there were no further goals although the hosts twice cleared off the line each to deny the visitors.