FOLLAND Sports have bolstered their frontline options by signing muscular frontman Nathan Lynch from Southern League neighbours Sholing.

The former Gosport, Winchester and AFC Portchester hitman (pictured below) is cup-tied for tonight’s Russell Cotes Cup showdown with AFC Totton at Follands Park, but will be eligible for the FA Vase.

Next up for the Planemakers in that competition is a November 22 home tie against in-form Cornish side AFC St Austell, who have reeled off 11 straight league and cup wins and currently sit third in the South West Peninsula League.

Manager Danny Bowers, who oversaw a hard-fought 2-1 first round victory over Sherborne Town at Follands Park on Saturday, said: “I wouldn’t have wanted to draw St Austell away! A home tie was important to us, but it’s going to be tough.

“It’s a long way for them to travel on a Saturday morning, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they come up the night before, but are they a club who can afford that?”

Bowers admitted Follands “didn’t have the best of games” against a strong, physical Sherborne side. Although they opened the scoring from a sweet passing move which ended in skipper Jamie Barron firing home after a one-two with Ryan Long, fluent football was at a premium.

Sherborne replied from the penalty spot after the ball had thumped against Matt Burt at speed, hitting his thigh first and then his hand.

Follands got jittery, but Calum Brockway calmed them down when his floated ball into the box evaded everyone on its way into the far, top corner.

Ryan Long went close to adding another before Sherborne were awarded a second penalty late on.

But this time Planemakers’ keeper Ryan Gosney guessed the right way and saved it.

Saluting a heroic display by Follands’ No1, Bowers said: “Earlier in the match Ryan had made three point-blank saves in quick succession.

“If it wasn’t for him we’d have been out of the Vase or travelling down to Sherborne for a replay tonight. Sometimes you take it for granted and forget just what a good goalkeeper he is. Our goalkeeping coach Reggie Palmer said to me afterwards that it was the best he’d seen Ryan play.”