Injury crisis for Goytre (From Free Press Series)

Injury crisis for Goytre

Tillery 2 Goytre 1

GOYTRE chairman and former manager Paul Greenhalgh has admitted he has serious concerns over the strength and depth of the club's injury-ravaged squad.

The Plough Road side have just four midfielders and one defender available because of the crisis and Greenhalgh was the first to agree that new signings were needed fast.

"Key positions are effected badly and this is why we need new players fast. The squad is just not big enough at the moment with players injured and absent. We only have one back four player and that's the captain Dean Taylor which is very worrying. We have to get about and get some players.

"The manager Steve Morgan is trying his best, but with mid-week games and the seconds to take care of as well his hands are very full," admitted Greenhalgh.

Goytre, 13th in the Welsh League Division Three table, have played five games so far picking up just four points from a possible 15 with a solitary win and draw. That doesn't concern Greenhalgh though.

"It's early days in the league and when we have a full squad we can compete. All the results in the Welsh League are up and down. "Every side is beating each other so we are not that concerned yet with our form. We are concerned though with the injuries and the strength of the squad, which is just not there. The sooner we sign some players the better," he said.

Goytre have shown some good patches of football in their last two defeats. Against third placed Tillery they really should have picked up a point after clawing their way back from 1-0 down with a blistering 25-yard free kick from Simon Bailey. A late goal though saw a vital point slip through their fingers.

Goytre 1 Porth Tywyn 3

Against Porth Tywyn on the weekend Andy Walsh had given them the lead, but again some mishap defending saw them fall to a 3-1 defeat.

A bigger concern though for team bosses is the loss of Darren Haines who damaged his hamstring in Saturday's game. He'll be out for two to three weeks.

Goytre face Fields Park/P'Fraith in the Gwent Senior Cup tonight.

The game kicks off at Plough Road at 6pm. On Saturday they're away to Treharris in the Welsh Cup, kick off 3pm.

l The club is looking for a new manager to take charge of its aspiring Gwent Central side after the resignation of long-time boss Lyndon Morgan due to work commitments. The team boasts some exciting players and could play in the Welsh Reserve League next term so a high-calibre manager is required.

If you think you have the experience then contact either Paul Greenhalgh on 01873 880 806 or Dave Melmoth on 01873 880 569. Any players interested in trying out for the club should also contact the above numbers.