EDITOR'S CHOICE AIR FESTIVAL 'THE SMILE HIGH CLUB' ADD YOUR REVIEW Rock with Emotional Magic SAILORS RETURN Olympians sail into a hero’s welcome VIEW FROM THE HILL We are what we are… just British GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 THE HIGH LIFE! 2 'NOT FOR SALE' 3 Connell delighted to be back 4 Family firm to make way for supermarket 5 Dismay after day nursery ‘goes bust’ 6 Motorists fume at grass-cutting jam 7 CONNELL DUE TO SIGN 8 Tower saved from sea set to reopen 9 Hunt for pervert who targets lone women 10 KUFFOUR DEAL COULD BE HIJACKED Today | 7 Days 1 Bond steps up striker search 2 ILLEGAL CAMP IN PRIME SPOT 3 ‘Shop around’ to get your fill 4 CONNELL DUE TO SIGN 5 Injuries a worry for Bond 6 CITY SICKENER FOR CHERRIES 7 A31 open after repair 8 'THE SMILE HIGH CLUB' 9 CHERRIES SIGN REDS FORWARD 10 Out-of-the-box and on to the wicket

Comment

Richard Gillespie

HAMSTRUNG Richard Gillespie has endorsed Bashley's promotion bid, despite revealing his anguish at being reduced to a watching brief.

The New Forest club's star striker hobbled out of Tuesday night's 5-0 defeat at King's Lynn and, as was first feared, he now looks set to miss the remainder of the Southern League Premier Division campaign.

Bashley's first match without the hotshot frontman will come tomorrow when they host Mangotsfield United at the Recreation Ground (3pm). If Steve Riley's side win and Gloucester City fail to beat King's Lynn, their place in the end of season play-offs will be confirmed.

A "slight tear" in Gillespie's hamstring is likely to rule him out of Bashley's last two matches, as well as any potential play-off games, dealing a huge blow to the team's chances.

"I was running with the ball and it felt like someone had stuck a knife in the back of my leg," explained Gillespie.

"I think that's me done for the season unless we make the play-off final, and even that might be a push for me personally.

"I'm absolutely gutted really. As soon as I felt it go I was gutted.

"You feel like you're letting the lads down, even though there's nothing you can do about it.

"I'll just be willing them on and trying to motivate them."

Gillespie has played down his absence and supported his team-mates' Conference South credentials.

He said: "I think Pete Castle is getting back together again and Gary Middleton too, so that will help the situation.

"We can definitely still do it. We might be short on numbers but we've definitely got the biggest spirit.

"There's no inclination that the lads were negative, even after Tuesday.

"There's a lot of spirit in the camp and that, in itself, could take them through to the Conference South next season."

Gillespie, nicknamed Mr Goals, also said it was too difficult to tip a championship winner, with the division's top three still fighting for the silverware.

He said: "It's going to be tight between King's Lynn, Team Bath and Halesowen for me.

"They all seem very good going forward, but personally I think Team Bath have the best defence of the lot. I can't pick really because the three are very, very close together. There's not much to choose between them."

Bash boss Riley will have to make do without Gillespie, but he can call upon fit-again defensive duo Castle and Middleton, as well as Phil Archbold. Midfielder Craig Davis, who sustained an injury at King's Lynn, should also be ready.

Speaking about his side's play-off hopes, Riley said: "It's still in our hands and we're still in a good position. We just need a passionate performance."

7:00am Friday 18th April 2008

Print

Email this

Comment