WIMBORNE Town boss Matty Holmes has told goalkeeper Gerard Benfield the green jersey is his to lose.

Benfield took over between the sticks after loan stopper Pat O’Flaherty returned to Cherries at the end of November.

The 20-year-old has started Magpies’ past four games in Southern League Division One South & West and is expected to keep his place for today’s trip to Winchester City (3pm).

Benfield, who followed Wimborne coach Shane Traynor from Hamworthy United, kept Magpies’ first home clean sheet of the season against Barnstaple 10 days ago.

And although he faces competition from vastly-experienced new signing Alan Walker-Harris, who arrived from Dorchester earlier this month, Holmes insisted Benfield was in the driving seat.

Holmes told the Daily Echo: “I tried to get Alan in the summer but it didn’t quite happen. I got a message to give him a ring so spoke to him. He wanted to get back into it because he was missing his football. He has been training and doing some bits and pieces.

“I am one of those managers who likes to keep the team if they are doing well and Gerard has been fantastic. Alan is biding his time. He is ready to go so it puts a nice pressure on Gerard.

“I spoke to Gerard and told him Alan would be coming in. He is a fantastic keeper with lots of experience, which we need because we have a young defence.

“But Gerard has the shirt. Alan has been great. He is a great character to have in the dressing room. There are some older boys in there which gives everyone a bit of a lift. Gerard just has to keep up his form and keep doing well.”