Southern League Yate sign Rovers’ Andre in loan deal to ease goalkeeper problems
YATE Town will field their fourth goalkeeper of the season when on-loan Bristol Rovers player Alexis Andre Jnr makes his debut at home to AFC Totton tomorrow.
The 21-year-old French-born Morocco Under-23 international was signed by manager Paul Britton after a mini crisis last weekend when injury forced on-loan Bristol City keeper Aaron Sainsbury to pull out on the morning of the Highworth game and defender Josh Cann volunteered to deputise
“We have had one of those seasons with goalkeepers, to be fair,” said Britton.
“We had Lewis Thomas, but he was recalled by Forest Green Rovers, and when Aaron got injured our other ‘keeper Ross Grimshaw was at Chipping Sodbury and didn’t want to let them down if they couldn’t get a replacement.
“We had a couple of volunteers last weekend but Josh, who has not been in the squad recently, stepped forward and did a good job for us.
“But I had to sort out the problem quickly otherwise I would have let down the players. They have worked really hard this season and we are facing a big week ahead, so I needed to get in a recognised goalkeeper.”
Andre Jnr made his EFL debut against Walsall last season and has impressed the staff at Rovers with his application and performances for the Development Squad managed by Chris Hargreaves.
“Lewis (Leigh-Gilchrist, also on loan from Rovers) also recommended him and I know Chris Hargreaves rates him,” added Britton.
If Andre Jnr can make the same sort of impact as Leigh-Gilchrist, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win at Highworth, then Britton will be a happy man – and might dare to hope that his goalkeeping traumas this season have been solved.
Certainly by the end of the week Yate could be back on top of Division One South if they beat Totton tomorrow and take three points from their game in hand away to Fleet Town on Tuesday.
“It is a big week for us because after Totton, Fleet and Slimbridge next weekend we are down to single figures remaining in matches,” added Britton. “It looks like three of us are going for the title and it is very exciting.”
Bristol Manor Farm could do Yate a favour this weekend by taking points off leaders Blackfield & Langley.
“We beat them 1-0 at our place when I had all my players available and it would be nice to do the double over them, although I think they will end up as champions,” said manager Lee Lashenko. Farm bounced back from a disappointing home defeat to Cinderford last weekend with a 3-2 win over Thatcham Town on Tuesday and, with top striker Owen Howe set to make his comeback after a four-match suspension, Lashenko is refusing to let the season slide away.
“If we can finish in the top half of the table it will be one of the finest achievements of my career,” he added.
Mangotsfield United manager Ollie Price will include new signings Owura Edwards and Tom Hill- man, both on work experience from Newport County, Chippenham Town’s Harrison Lea (dual registration) and Isaac Kelly in his squad for the game against Melksham Town at Cossham Street.
But missing will be James Bloom and Miles John, who have both left the club, and on-loan midfielder Joseph Hall, who has been recalled by Bristol City. In addition, Sekani Simpson is unavailable and Matty Tanner still suspended.
Youngster Louis Britton will again lead the attack after taking his tally to 11 goals in the last five games in the 3-2 defeat at Moneyfields.
“The phone has been going crazy with calls about Louis and I am really pleased for the lad,” said Price.
Which Paulton Rovers side will turn up against Fleet Town at the Winterfield Road tomorrow? A miserable defeat at struggling Barnstaple ended a recent revival last weekend – but, with manager John Rendell ringing the changes for the Somerset Cup quarter final 2-1 win against Clevedon Town on Wednesday, the gloom was partially lifted.
“My changes raised a few eyebrows, but it had to be done and I got a reaction on Wednesday,” said Rendell. “Now I want to see more of that against Fleet on Saturday.”
Camen Harvey begins a threematch suspension for his sendingoff at Clevedon, while they are injury doubts over Trey Anderson and Jay Malpass. But captain Jamie Laird makes a welcome return after a nasty head injury.