Clive Cook is excited about latest signing Jordan Johnson-Palmer.

The midfielder signed after Hythe’s 3-1 friendly win at Peacehaven on Saturday and his versatility was a key factor behind boss Cook wanting to bring him to Reachfields.

He said: “Jordan was excellent, will give us a new dimension and can play in a holding role, as a No.10, left back or wide left.

“He is a ball player, it’s hard to get it off him and he can put it on a button from 40 yards.”

Johnson-Palmer has had spells with Guildford City, Met Police and Molesey but has stayed on Cook’s radar since playing alongside his son Dave at Hastings.

He added: “I have kept tabs on him ever since.He has been training at Welling and I spoke to their manager Jamie Coyle about him.”

Cook was pleased with the performance at Peacehaven, a club that survived nearly going to the wall when they were former Division 1 South rivals but now playing in the Southern Combination.

Substitute Dean Grant grabbed a hat-trick as Hythe came from behind to win.
He said: “They were better than they were in the Ryman and have got some decent players."

Grant made it five goals in two games, scoring both in the 2-0 home win against Crowborough Athletic on Tuesday night.

Cook added: “It’s all about raising the bar in every game. You always get plusses and minuses and so far, for me, it’s been about minutes on the pitch.

“We will start to settle down now, starting against Dorking Wanderers on Saturday.

“I have got to make decisions on a couple.

"I feel for the players involved because they have put a lot in while they have been with us but are they better than what we have got?”