Merchant back from the heart of Texas as last line of defence

GOALKEEPER Luke Merchant has signed for Cirencester Town after returning from Texas.

The former Forest Green Rovers academy player has been signed on dual registration forms with Hellenic League Premier Division side Tuffley Rovers.

And Cirencester boss Charlie Griffin is hoping to bring in a defender within the next seven days.

Cirencester were beaten 4-0 at Bideford on Saturday, but they registered an impressive 4-2 home win over Winchester City.

“It’s been all right this season overall, but we know we have more work to do and we will make sure we are doing the graft in training to improve,” Griffin said.

“We have had little spell recently that knocked us, going out of FA Cup and Trophy in space of a week.

“In that time, we have played one home game in nine so its been a long six weeks, but we sit just off the playoffs by two points with a game in hand.

“Our win against Winchester was outstanding, but we were disappointed at Bideford.

“There are a lot of teams finding their way and we are are among them all, with a long way to go.”

Cirencester twice came from behind to equalise before losing out to a 94thminute winner against Gloucester City in the Gloucestershire Senior Cup.

The Tigers play Bristol City Under23s away in the quarter-finals.