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Latest news from the Wilts and Glos Standard
As reported in the Wilts and Glos Standard by Danny Hall
Former Gloucester City captain Matt Coupe mulls over a return at Cirencester Town
FORMER Chippenham Town and Gloucester City captain Matt Coupe, who retired from football last year, is training with Cirencester Town and mulling over a possible return to the game.
The vastly-experienced 38-year-old defender has also played for Bath City, Forest Green Rovers, Clevedon Town and Aberystwyth Town.
He came out of retirement to help his former boss at the Tigers, Dave Mehew, by playing seven games for Mangotsfield United in the run-up to Christmas when the Mangos had a shortage of fit defenders.
"Matt lives a couple of doors away from Oggie (Hunt) and has started to come into training," said Cirencester Town boss Charlie Griffin. I think he got his appetite for football back while playing for the Mangos. He has said he will tell me what he wants to do in a week or two. If I had the experience of my brother Alan, Glyn Garner, Gethin Jones and Matt Coupe six weeks ago we wouldn't be in the position we are in now."
Coupe will not play any part in the Tuesday night friendly with Malmesbury Vics at the Corinium Stadium, where Griffin will run the rule over a couple of triallists in former Centurion right back Ryan Elliott, most recently with Wantage Town, and central midfielder Mason Thompson, brother of another ex-Cirencester Town player Connor, who is at Swindon Supermarine.
Garner and Jones will not be travelling from Wales for the friendly.
"My players like Robbie James and Max Lloyd need some time on the pitch and we will also look at some of the Development lads including Sam Farr and these two triallists," said Griffin. I'm sure that Kev Bridgeman's Vics side will give us a good test."
The game kicks-off at 7.30pm weather permitting
Charlie Griffin hoping to hang on to striker Tony Lee
CIRENCESTER TOWN boss Charlie Griffin is trying to hatch a last-minute deal to keep striker Tony Lee at the club for the remainder of the season.
Lee finished his one-month loan spell from Eastleigh in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Chesham United when he earned the penalty for the hosts' goal.
Lee's four goals in his two opening games for Town alerted other clubs to the potential of the strong, pacy striker who is not believed to be part of Martin Allen's plans at Eastleigh.
"Tony's deal is now up so I am going to have a chat with him and my chairman and see if we can do a deal. He does not drive at the minute so we have been picking him up from railway stations and the like. He's been very good for us and has already formed a good partnership with my brother Alan. Plus he works his socks off. He has other clubs after him and he has told me he will probably make his mind up by the end of the week, but I hope he can stay."
For the second week running Griffin was delighted with his players who nonetheless got nothing out of the game with Chesham and have now slipped into the drop zone.
The game featured the return of former Centurions Glyn Garner in goal and central defender Gethin Jones.
"We played really well again and look a different team now compared to six weeks ago," said Griffin. I just wish I could have had Glyn, Geth and Alan when I started in the job but it wasn't to be. There are 15 games to go and that is a lot of points. We have to play a number of the teams around us and they have to play several of the top teams yet.
"Had we been a little more ruthless we would have taken all three points against Chesham. We hit the bar early, scored and had a lot of other shots. It was a step up again from the Merthyr game and at times we made Chesham, who are a good side, look ordinary. Their manager said 'if you play like that you will not have a problem. There are bad teams in this division and you are not one of them'."
"Both Glyn and Geth were superb. Glyn was magnificent, commanded the area, kicked well and organised the defence throughout. Geth won every tackle and header and he is a massive threat at set pieces. It is unfortunate that Raj Gill has had to leave us. We had a chat after the game and he has left on good terms "He's a bright lad who has done really well for us and I have no doubt he will play at a higher level as he has heart and desire.
"With results not going for us it is a difficult situation for a young, inexperienced goalkeeper. I think we need Glyn's knowhow to get us over the line in games and he is excellent in the changing room."
This entry was posted on 17 January 2017 at 14:22 and is filed under Development Team | Miscellaneous. You can leave a response here.
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