FOLLAND Sports boss Danny Bowers wasn’t kidding when he promised all-out attack for the new Sydenhams Wessex League season.
Not content with adding Daniel Mason and Mike Turvey to his frontline armoury, the Planemakers boss has signeded two more strikers.
Long-term target Ryan Long has climbed aboard along with ex-Eastleigh reserves hitman Alex Easton from Hayling United – and both have already been banging in the pre-season goals.
Bowers, who leads his side into Sydenhams League Cup second round action at home to AFC Portchester tonight (7.45pm), said: “Alex had a slow start to pre-season, but he’s scored five in the last three games including two against Paulsgrove (a 6-0 win) and two against Team Solent (a 4-1 win).
“Ryan also scored twice against Paulsgrove and made three of the goals in the Team Solent game.”
Having caught the eye at Romsey Town, Long had a spell with Gosport Borough in the Southern League.
He then went back to Romsey where his dad Stuart was assistant manager to Wayne Mew, but Long had a fragmented 2012/13 season playing just a handful of games for Blackfield & Langley and Verwood.
“Ryan needs to find a home,” said Bowers.
“He was one of my targets as soon as I came back as manager, but he said he was going to Fleet Town with his dad.
“Then two weeks later I heard through his brother, Jake, who trains with us, that he was with AFC Totton.
“He had a game for Totton, but I rang him and he came training for us, played against Paulsgrove and enjoyed it.
“Ryan’s work ethic is unbelievable.
“People talk about hard-working midfielders, but Ryan’s got that same workrate up front. “He forces people into mistakes because he won’t give up. “He’s got a good scoring record too. He’s a proper powerful striker.”
With Richard Gregory, Alex Sheath and young Matt Camfield already at the club, Bowers now has seven players vying for frontline places.
But his selection dilemma will be made easier tonight because ex-Sholing youngster Mason has a thigh niggle and Turvey – formerly of Andover and Gosport – needs another month to get over a hip problem.
Gritty midfielder James Roden, back after a season with Fareham, is ruled out by a one-match ban, while centre-back Rhys Evans is sidelined with chest problems.
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