New signings fit straight in (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

New signings fit straight in

12:31pm Thursday 8th March 2007 in Football By Stuart White

DEVIZES boss Paul Thompson welcomed three new signings into his starting line-up for the win at Chard Town.

Matthew Shutt and right back Jean-Paul Podowski have joined from Hartbury College while midfielder Jimmy Griffin has arrived on loan from Swindon Supermarine.

Heading in the opposite direction is former captain Brad Newman, who has become disillusioned at the club.

Thompson said: "He is frustrated with his performances and the team's. He lacked enthusiasm but I am hoping he will come back after a couple of weeks off.

"The three new lads all played like they'd been here all season, they were not out of place at all. Matthew was probably man of the match but it was a good all round team performance."

Devizes trailed Chard at half time but fought back to win with two second half goals from Jamie Selby and Adam Little while playing down the slope.

"It is unbelievable," said Thompson, who had a successful knee operation last week and is making good progress from his cartilage problem.

"It is the biggest slope I have ever seen on a football pitch, I don't know how they are in this league.

"We defended well in the first half before conceding late on, and then returned the favour after half time. We bombarded them down the hill."

The equaliser came on the hour mark when Simon Drewitt played a neat one two with left midfielder Shutt before sending over a perfect cross for the in-coming Little to drill home on the half-volley.

The second, ten minutes from time, was a piece of individual skill from Selby.

He cut inside before beating the keeper with a great finish to seal the points, although Thompson admitted a draw would have been a fair result.

Tuesday night's clash with Corsham Town was postponed due to a major electrical fault with the floodlights, but Thompson expects Saturday's clash with Dawlish to get the go-ahead.

He said: "We have 14 games left and the target is to get as many points as possible.

"We have exceeded our expectations for the year already, and top ten would be fantastic."