DANNY Potter has dropped a bombshell on Bashley by quitting the Ryman Division 1 club.

Much to the astonishment of manager Geoff Butler, the central defender who moved to the New Forest area from Eastern Counties outfit Soham Town Rangers in October, said he wasn't enjoying himself and was planning to play Wessex football for AFC Totton.

With Paul Gazzard suspended and Mat Jones out for a fortnight with a hairline leg fracture, it was the last thing Butler needed to hear ahead of tomorrow's trip to Banstead Athletic.

He confessed: "I was absolutely gobsmacked when Danny told me. He'd never shown any indication that he wasn't enjoying it here. In fact we'd drawn up an 18-month contract for him and he took it home to read after the AFC Wimbledon game last Saturday.

"The next thing I know I got a call from him saying he was leaving Bashley because he wasn't enjoying it.

"I told him what a difficult position that left us in and asked if he'd at least play the next two games, but he said he couldn't see the point if he was leaving.

"I haven't a clue why he's quit. I asked if it was me and he said it wasn't.

"I'm ever so disappointed because I really liked the lad. He was probably our best player against Wimbledon and he should be playing at the highest level he can."

l Fleet Town's new boss, Paul Holden, is facing an injury crisis for tomorrow's trip to third-placed Horsham.

Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat by Dulwich Hamlet was not only a disaster results-wise, but defender Andy Darnton ended up in casualty with a cracked rib and both Gary Connolly and Pete Murphy were stretchered off with damaged ankle ligaments.

Goalkeeper Justin Gray pulled a thigh muscle and both Steve Riley and Tony Millerick are sidelined with hamstring trouble.

l On-song striker Dave Greening should be available again for Newport IoW's basement 'six-pointer' at rock-bottom Croydon, but he faces a fight to get into the team.

While migraine victim Greening sat out Tuesday's battling 2-1 Hampshire Senior Cup defeat at Aldershot Town, his replacement, Ashley Wright, made his mark with a goal.

"Dave should be back on Saturday, but whether he'll get into the side is another matter," smiled manager John Linington. "Competition for places is looking good."

Sixteen-year-old left-sided player Michael McEnery gave Shots plenty to worry about, but Linington will only use him sparingly. He said: "He terrorised Aldershot but he's only young and I'm looking after him."