LYMINGTON Town wheeled out a surprise replacement for Jordan Rose in Wednesday’s 3-0 Sydenhams League win at Whitchurch.

With ex-Stockport County defender Rose off to join Conference South promotion-chasers Whitehawk, Lymo boss John Pyatt turned to Bashley legend Paul Gazzard for help.

The pair managed together at Bashley Road last season and Gazzard – a stalwart of more than ten years with the Southern League club – proved typically reliable as Lymington floored Whitchurch with three late strikes to climb to sixth in the Wessex Premier with their fifth straight win.

Rose, 25, who has been working his way back to fitness with Lymington after injury, called Pyatt on Wednesday to confirm that his move to Whitehawk had materialised.

“He trained with them last week, so I always knew it was on the cards and we wish Jordan all the best,” said the Lymo boss. “He’s been playing really well. We’ve helped him get back to fitness and he’s helped us. It’s worked both ways.

“With Luke Ansell injured and Carlo Tate away snowboarding, we were short in defence, so I managed to drag Paul Gazzard in and he played the full 90 minutes.

“I’d got Gazza signed on early just in case, but he hadn’t played since last season.

“I’m not sure whether he’ll play again at Fareham tomorrow, we’ll have to see what his availability is and how he’s fared physically after Wednesday. I should imagine he’s feeling it.”

With Pyatt unable to make the Whitchurch trip, player/assistant boss Warren Kenna took the reins.

The Shirley-based midfielder/full-back – younger brother of ex-Saint, Jeff – oversaw things from the dugout having played a vital role in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Portchester when he twice scored from wind-assisted corners and set one up for Eastleigh loanee Harrison Weeks.

Whereas Lymington did the damage early against Portchester, Wednesday was the other way round with Tom Man, Brad Strickland and Lerone ‘Rudi’ Plummer scoring late on.

Kenna said: “3-0 flattered us, but it was a disciplined performance.

“It was a bit cat and mouse first half and a close game, but the pitch has a big slope and we attacked that end second half and seemed to steamroller them in the last 20 minutes. We looked a bit more up for the battle than them.

“We’ve got good momentum going and there’s a great atmosphere in the changing room.”

Kenna, 34, is ready to play at second-to-bottom Fareham tomorrow, if required. “I didn’t play on Wednesday because we needed someone on the bench and two games in a row is a bit much for me now!” laughed the ex-Peterborough man. “I feel it after games these days but I’m happy to fill in when needed.”

 

Don't miss this weekend's Sports Pink for six pages of great non league football news.