1st February 2012

DORCHESTER/WEYMOUTH FOOTBALL: Reed turns down Magpies

STEPHEN Reed did a sensational about turn on Tuesday when having agreed terms with Dorchester Town he decided to stay at Weymouth.

The midfielder had been expected to sign for the Magpies having agreed terms on Monday along with Terras striker Sam Malsom. However following a last ditch attempt to keep him at the club, manager Brendon King persuaded Reed that his future lay with the Evo-Stik Southern Premier side.

The transfer merry-go-round that has seen a hectic few days at both clubs, started last Friday when it was announced both players were in talks with the county town side and were due to sign early this week.

It appeared clear that Malsom would be leaving when King left him out of the side that lost 2-0 to Oxford City on Saturday, but Reed who is on non-contract terms at the Bob Lucas Stadium did play.

Having agreed terms with Dorchester on Monday, both were due to put pen to paper on Tuesday evening, before Reed’s sensational U-turn. It is not clear at the time of going to press on what terms Reed has agreed to stay, and it is possible the Terras could offer him a permanent contract.

Malsom’s arrival at The Avenue will help to soften the loss of Ben Dickenson’s departure to Brighton & Hove Albion, and with Ryan Moss having moved to a new job in London before Christmas, the 24-year-old will strengthen the front line.

Andrew White has however left the club. He arrived at the end of the year on loan from Eastleigh, but following a number of niggling injuries has been unable to command a regular place, and with Magpies boss Alan Knight unable to guarantee him a regular start, has returned to the Hampshire outfit.

The club however is hoping to extend the loan of Tom Nicholls from Exeter City for at least another month, although Knight is hoping to persuade the Grecians to allow him to stay until the end of the season.

Knight said: “He says he’s enjoying it here, and he’s doing a fine job for us. Phil Simkin has been talking to them and I get the impression that as long as they don’t suffer too many injuries that might be an option.”

Reed’s change of mind has however given the Magpies management another problem with the departure of Steve Devlin who has joined Poole Town for a nominal fee.

The tenacious midfielder who was out of contract at the end of the season, declined a new contract.

Chairman Shaun Hearn said: “We had three offers for Steve including Poole Town who I had promised first option should he want to leave.

“I’ve a lot of time for Steve and he’s a good player and we didn’t want him to leave, but he needs to look after his family first and we wish him the best of luck.”

Knight has moved quickly to cover the loss of Devlin and Reed and hopes to have a midfield replacement in place by the weekend although he was keeping quiet about who it might be.

Meanwhile Weymouth have completed the signing of AFC Totton’s James Coutts on another months loan, although not in time for Tuesday match at Stourbridge, as well as Lewis Clarke from Yeovil Town who played at Oxford City on Saturday.

Assistant manager Matt Groves confirmed however that keeper Tom Manley has left the club to concentrate on his studies.

PICTURE: CHAMPS | The triumphant Dorchester Town Ladies team which was recently crowned Dorset Women’s League Champions. The team is now seeking sponsorship for the 2012-13 season, contact manager Tim Carter on 07864 682539 or email dorchladies_fc@hotmail.co.uk

DORCHESTER/WEYMOUTH FOOTBALL: Reed turns down Magpies

DORCHESTER/WEYMOUTH FOOTBALL: Reed turns down Magpies

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