Town boss moves for Lardner (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Town boss moves for Lardner

NEIL Kirkpatrick is set to increase Trowbridge Town's attacking options with the signing of former Melksham Town striker Dan Lardner.

The Trowbridge boss is hoping to seal Lardner's switch from Malmesbury Victoria in time for tomorrow's Hellenic League Division One match at home to Clanfield.

Kirkpatrick said the 20-year-old had already confirmed he will be signing for the Bees but it is now a race against time to get the deal done for tomorrow.

In 2002/03 Lardner scored the winning goal for Melksham against Trowbridge in the Wiltshire Senior Cup final and Kirkpatrick believes he will be a valuable addition.

He said: "He knows where the goal is would give us another option upfront. He works hard and will do well for us."

Trowbridge are currently lying second in the Hellenic League Division one, just three points behind leaders Tytherington with two games still in hand.

But they face a tough test against an in-form Clanfield who Kirkpatrick admits will be a different proposition from their 5-0 drubbing of earlier in the season.

He said: "They have signed a lot of players recently and have just put eight goals past Adderbury Park and beaten Tytherington.

"Every game will be important now and there should be no problem in lifting the lads for the match."

Striker Matt Cooper is unavailable due to being selected for the county but Gordon Saunderson, Waleed Bakali and Adam Sheppard will come back into the squad.

Meanwhile midfielder Andy Bloodworth is still to make his mind up about a possible switch to Devizes Town.