Evans happy to have options on the wing
NEW signing Lloyd Gardner has given manager Jeff Evans some extra options out wide ahead of Dawlish Town's trip to Bitton tomorrow (3pm), writes Chris Rogers.
Clyst Rovers midfielder Gardner first played for the Seasiders in the Boxing Day defeat to Willand Rovers.
But with Rovers withdrawing from the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League last week, he is now available for Dawlish on a full-time basis.
Evans says his newest signing can play either wide left or wide right, and he made an instant impact on Tuesday night when he set up the only goal in Dawlish's 1-0 win at Radstock Town.
Gardner tore down the left flank and whipped in a cross that midfielder Kris Davis finished off.
The result means it's now four unbeaten for the Seasiders in the Toolstation Western League and, with games in hand, a top-six finish is still very much a possibility.
"I never thought otherwise," said Evans. "You don't suddenly become a bad side overnight unless there's something badly wrong.
"We went through that period (six successive league defeats) when players were injured or suspended, and it was hard to get a side out. It came to a head at Hallen when we had seven first-team players missing."
Now, though, things are looking much healthier and Evans is delighted to see competition for places.
Gardner joins fellow new arrival Chris Bailey in the squad, while Craig Fenner returns from suspension for tomorrow's trip to Bristol.
The only doubt is youngster Sean Adderley, who was injured following a poor tackle at Longwell Green.
A similar controversial challenge sparked some heated scenes at Radstock in midweek when Davis was fouled.
Much to the Dawlish dugout's dismay, the home player was only yellow-carded while Seasiders central defender Paul Kendall was sent off for his part in the fracas that followed.
"We played with 10 men for most of the second half and still created more chances than them, so I was really pleased with the three points," added Evans.
The manager also confirmed he has released right-back Michael Broom but, with Dean Coppard back and Dougie Ford also in contention, he still has plenty of full-back options.
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