DAVID Elm has become the area's second Ryman League goalkeeper to have been placed on the transfer list.

Days after Eastleigh announced that Colin Matthews had been listed at his own request, Bashley have decided former Dorchester man Elm needs a change of scenery after two years at the Recreation Ground.

Two poor kicks by Elm contributed to Tuesday night's 3-2 home defeat by Horsham and, for the second time in as many weeks, he was substituted by his young understudy Stacey Harper.

What mystifies Bash boss Geoff Butler is why Elm appears so drained of confidence when, Tuesday aside, the Foresters are doing well in Ryman 1.

He said: "David Elm has got a lot of qualities to be a good goalkeeper - he's got size and presence and he's not frightened. But for some reason his confidence is shot, even though the team are doing well and he's got a decent defence in front of him.

"He's had some very good games for us, no question, but maybe he needs a new challenge elsewhere."

It's not out of the question that Butler will stick with Elm for tomorrow's home clash against Burgess Hill Town who, like Bash, are in the race for the play-off spots.

He said: "David's still at the club and while he's here he will be expected to do a job for the first team."

Alternatively Harper - a former Republic of Ireland, Fulham and Oxford scholar, who joined Bash from Woking during the summer - could get the nod, or new signing Alan Walker-Harris from Lymington & New Milton, who has been out all season with an ankle injury.

With frontman Danny Gibbons still suspended and Dave Wakefield struggling with his back, Bash may again call on Steve Tate. The former Waterlooville, Havant and Weymouth hitman, who won the FA Vase with Winchester City last season, played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday when Bashley also gave a first outing to 18-year-old midfield signing Chris Knowles from Fairford Town.

Knowles had a sound enough debut, but Butler said: "He showed good touches but he's not really up to a first-team place just yet. He's young, small and lightweight and at this level you need a bit of strength, guile and knowledge."

Fleet Town have drawn up a shortlist of five applicants for the vacant job of first-team manager.

Although the north Hampshire club are not releasing the names of next week's interviewees, it's believed two are local Hampshire men, one is based in Reading and the other - rumoured to be former Southend United boss Rob Newman, pictured, - lives in East Anglia. The fifth man is Ian Saunders, currently caretaker manager of the side.

Fleet entertain struggling Ashford Town tomorrow buoyed by a 3-0 midweek Bryco Cup victory over Brook House, courtesy of Ed Smith, Lee Paul and Gareth Keeping.

Midfielder Keeping recently attracted interest from Salisbury City and Fleet have received notice of approach from Welling United for their left-sided raider Shaun Hale but Fleet hope both will stay.

Defender Steve Riley misses tomorrow with a pulled hamstring but former England international Andy Sinton should be fit to play.

Almost 60 people attended a fans' forum at Newport IoW on Wednesday night - and had their minds put at rest.

Manager John Linington and his coaching staff successfully tackled some searching questions about team selection and tactics and the board of directors were able to inform worried fans that moves are afoot to secure the club's long-term future.

Secretary Dave Bartlett reported: "It was a very fruitful meeting. People have been worried about the fact that we have only a two-year lease on the ground, but we were able to tell them that we met with the Southampton representatives of the ground owners, South Coast Leisure, last week and that there's a good chance we'll be meeting someone from the company itself shortly. We're working hard to move things forward."

Newport, currently bottom of Ryman 1, entertain Tooting & Mitcham tomorrow. Defender Jon Holmes has recovered from an ankle injury and Adam Barsdell and Jamie White are both free from suspension.

Former Port favourite Leigh Cole has trained with the team following his release from Chichester City United and was due to make up his mind about joining this week.