BAT's Richard Gregory has opted against joining Winchester City's growing band of strikers.

With last season's 76-goal top gun Andy Forbes now staying with City, the FA Vase winners already have five quality front-men on their books - Forbes, Ian Mancey and Jamie Laidlaw, plus new signings Jamie Musselwhite (Fareham) and Stuart Cannie (Bashley).

And, although Gregory, pictured left, recently played and scored in City's 7-0 friendly romp at Poole Borough, the 19-year-old Hedge End lad voiced concern he'd not be a regular.

Winchester's director of football David Malone clarified: "We've agreed not to pursue our interest. I had to be honest with Richard and say his chan-ces would have been limited.

"The new carve-up of the Combination doesn't help. It was poor quality last year and, now that the Wessex 2 clubs have been mixed among the Wessex 1 clubs, it's going to be abysmal. It makes it tough to tell players that, if they're not in the first team, then they can play for the reserves.

"But I genuinely think Richard's a good player who will progress to a higher level. If our situation were to change, he'd be high on the list of people we'd be looking at."

BAT boss Andy Leader smiled: "The big boys tried to tempt Richard away, but it didn't happen.

"It's all about progression and that's only possible if you're playing regularly.

"If Richard had left, he'd have gone with our blessing, but I didn't think it was in his best interests - and that's no slight on Winchester.

"It should be interesting when we play them in the first game of the season! (Friday, August 13)."

Not only is Leader celebrating Gregory's decision, but he has two new strikers in the fold. His old Christchurch charge Scott Metcalf has linked up with him again along with former Andover frontman Dean Cole.

Utility man Stuart Kenna, brother of former Saint, Jeff, has also pitched up at Southern Gardens.

Winchester City are due to talk again with defender Mark Jones tonight about a possible move from Bashley.

Jones played as a trialist in Saturday's 2-2 friendly draw with Aldershot Town which drew a 519 crowd to the Denplan City Ground - Cannie and Laidlaw on target for the Wessex champions.

l TICKETS for Eastleigh's eagerly-awaited, all-ticket friendly against Southamp-ton's first team on Thursday, August 5 (7.45pm) are going fast.

On what promises to be a glittering night for Premiership and non-League fans alike, Saints' chairman Rupert Lowe will officially open Eastleigh's new 350-seater stand at their Sparshatts Stadium home.

Anyone interested in snapping up a ticket should ring Pat Mallon on 023 8061 3361.

Meanwhile, Eastleigh's scheduled friendly at Lymington & New Milton tonight has been cancelled because of problems with the Linnets' pitch.

The Sydenhams Wessex League club called contractors back to the venue because they were dissatisfied with the quality of turf in the centre circle and the goalmouths.

Although New Milton Town Council have assured the Linnets that their Fawcetts Field home should be ready for pre-season action at the end of the month, it has cost them high-profile home friendlies against Eastleigh and AFC Bournemouth.

Chairman John Mills said: "We're obviously not happy and the council know that. We feel we've let Eastleigh and Bournemouth down and, potentially, we've lost a lot of revenue from two matches that would have been very popular with the fans."