ADIE Mings hopes the loan capture of winger Lee Smith can hand Chippenham Town a significant play-off boost as they prepare for the Zamaretto League Premier Division run-in.

Forest Green Rovers' Smith 27, has linked up with the Hardenhuish Park club until the end of the season and brings a considerable goal pedigree with him.

The wide man netted 21 times for Gloucester City in Blue Square North last season before moving to Blue Square Premier Rovers in the summer.

Smith had a recent loan spell with Blue Square North AFC Telford, but turned down the chance of extending his stay with the Midlands outfit and opted to drop down a level.

Mings told gazetteandherald.co.uk today: "Lee's a cracking player and someone I tried to get when I first took over as manager.

"I've known him for the last 10 years, from when I was at Gloucester and we've always kept in touch.

"He's had a very good career and won promotion with Gloucester out of our league.''

He added: "We've got him on loan until the end of the season and it's a fantastic gesture by Forest Green to let him come to us and from Lee himself to step down and give us a hand.''

Mings believes Smith's scoring prowess can prove a massive asset for his squad as the season gets down to the business end.

The manager added: "We need more goals in the side. Alan Griffin and Lewis Powell have been doing a great job for us, but we need goals from other areas.

"Lee gives us that advantage and it could be crucial in tight games. He also wants to play games.''

Mings has balanced the Hardenhuish Park books with striker Ashley Edenborough choosing to leave the club.

The manager said Swindon-based Edenborough, who is a self-employed engineer, has found himself unable to fully commit to the club, with important exams pending and a young family, but paid tribute to the player he brought in from Swindon Supermarine.

Mings added: "Ashley has conducted himself very well. He works long hours, has a young family and the travelling wasn't helping him.

"He hasn't played as well as he though he could and at the end of the season, he may well step back from football for a bit because he needs to pass these exams.

"I'm disappointed to lose him because he's been a good lad.''

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