MELKSHAM Town manager Nigel Tripp returned from holiday on Tuesday to find goalkeeper Gareth Evans on the verge of signing for Calne.

The 21-year-old shot stopper attended Calne training last night and was to sign for the Screwfix team.

Tripp said: "I'm surprised that he has gone. He is another player that is stepping down a league. It will be like playing Melksham reserves at Calne."

Calne manager Kelvin Highmore said the signing should put pressure on his existing players. He said: "I needed to add competition for places and will now have three keepers here. I'm delighted to get the lad at Calne."

The keeper will be jostling for a starting spot with current number one Darryl Simms and reserve keeper Nick Evans. He is also looking forward to reuniting with former Melksham team mates, midfielders Steve Casey and Kevin Banks

Despite stepping down a league, Evans was attracted by the goalkeeping development scheme at Calne

"I think the move will benefit me a great deal. They have a great goalkeeping scheme, which we do not have at Melksham," he said.

Highmore said: "We have a goalkeeper coach (Mark Jeffries) that travels over from Bath twice a week. Gareth told me he trains as an outfield player at Melksham which is no good."