6thjan05

Pennock returns to sign Lovell on loan

ADRIAN Pennock, the new manager of Nationwide South club Welling United, wasted no time in returning to former club Gravesend & Northfleet to sign defender Matt Lovell on a month's loan from the Conference National outfit.

Lovell is a former Arsenal junior, having been signed by the club at the age of 15. He spent several years at Highbury but was released and signed briefly for Bristol City before joining Fisher Athletic.

Several good performances brought him to the attention of ‘Fleet boss Andy Ford who signed him on a non-contract basis in March 2004 before earning a two-year contract in August.

He changed his name from 'Rouse' to 'Lovell' by deed poll in September 2004.

Lovell will make his debut in Saturday's match at Weston-super-Mare.

With only sixteen players available, Pennock and his assistant Phil Handford will need to ensure that a full compliment of players for the next three away fixtures can be selected.

Goalkeeper Charlie Mitten and midfielder Tim Hambley both have injuries picked up against Margate and defender Matt Lee is still not completely match fit following his recovery from a long term knee problem.

Further additions to the playing staff will, of course, have to complement the budget and with three consecutive away fixtures, the loss of income from a home fixture has not exactly come at an opportune time for Pennock.

It could be feasible to re-visit some of the non-contract players who are still registered with the club or it may be worth looking at further loan options, but the new management team will be restricted in re-building in the immediate future.

Amongst the contracted players there is no doubt quality and they will still be the core of the team until the end of this campaign.

www.wellingunited.co.uk


Weston-super-Mare v Welling United
Saturday 8th January 2005
Nationwide Conference South
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Woodspring Stadium, Winterstoke Road, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset