Winterton Rangers manager Lee Hastings
Lee Hastings is seeing green shoots of recovery after ten games in charge of struggling Winterton Rangers.
The former Hall Road Rangers boss and Selby Town assistant had a difficult start to his reign with the 10-0 annihilation at AFC Emley being the lowest point.
Although they have only won once in six Toolstation NCEL Division One matches, Winterton have drawn four of them and only lost at Penistone to a last minute goal.
From inheriting a side that was bottom with one point after seven games, Hastings has taken Winterton to six points above the relegation zone.
He now believes his radically-changed side will continue to push themselves further up the table and way from danger.
Hastings told Non League Yorkshire: “In what was recently our tenth game in charge as a management team, we have now collected ten points in as many games.
“It has been very challenging since game one as it was clear from that moment that new bodies were needed.
“I would suggest to date I’ve brought in over 15 new faces to compliment the five or six players that have remained at Winterton to give a competitive 20 plus man squad.
“Early days we suffered a couple of heavy defeats including an horrendous 10-0 thrashing at Emley, with 14 of the core squad missing. I had midfield players at full back positions, and most of the lads that started just simply weren’t fit enough as they were still recovering from injury.
“However, since then one or two have moved on and we have continued to strengthen the existing squad.
“We now find our selves in a position turning out a regular group with a mix of youth, aided by our more experienced players such as Mark McDonagh, Craig Palmer, Gary Nimmo, Rob Northen and most recently new signing Carl Giblin.
“Since the Emley game we have lost just once in six league games, including draws with high-fliers Hull United and Bottesford.
“I know we are going firmly in the right direction.
“With a committee and fan base that is fully supportive of what we are looking to achieve, this will enable us to keep our NCEL status.
“I’m confident we have enough to keep us in this league.”
Winterton are without a game until next Tuesday’s trip to Teversal and Hastings is hoping to add some bodies to his growing squad.
He added: “We want to play attractive football, and the players that come in will be for the right reasons and must be willing to buy into our philosophy.
“I’m only looking at bringing in another couple of players to challenge our midfield and forward line.
“Off the field the committee work tirelessly behind the scenes keeping the pitch in fantastic condition and the ground clean and tidy.
“It is unlike most grounds I’ve been to at this level. To be honest it is such a huge selling point for players, I rarely have to do much talking for players to sign.
“I am very lucky to have good people around me in Dan Nicholson (assistant), Craig Palmer (player coach) and Rob Watson (coach). We all share the same vision for the club, which makes team selection and player signings all that much easier.”