Evans rings changes for Roms

ROMULUS boss Richard Evans made several changes to his squad this week ahead of a vital home double header in the Evostik NPL One South.

The Roms host Lincoln United this Saturday (KO 3pm) before bottom-of-the-table Quorn visit Coles Lane on Monday night (KO 7.45pm), games where Evans stressed the need for two victories.

"Looking at it, we've got to take six points- the bottom line is we need to win our home games."

In the shake-up, defender Luke Paskin has been released, while fellow stopper Luke Edwards has joined Daventry Town of the Southern League and Dean Baker has joined Castle Vale JKS on dual registration terms.

Meanwhile two players have come into Coles Lane; experienced defender Jemiah Richards has put pen to paper after starting the season with Loughborough Dynamo. Last season he played two levels higher at Redditch United and has also had Conference North experience at Stafford Rangers and Worcester City.

Former Rushall Olympic striker Chris Morris has also signed, scoring on his home debut in the 3-1 Birmingham Senior Cup win over Burton Albion on Monday night.

Evans said: "We needed a change, to freshen things up, and hopefully a fresh challenge will do the lads who have left some good too.

"They are all good lads and the door is never closed.

Speaking about his new signings, Evans added: "We want Jemiah to come in and dominant, loud and forceful- that's what we've been missing at the back.

"Chris Morris is a very flexible striker, he holds the ball up well and will always score goals- both lads are good signings."

The changes come after the Roms allowed a 3-1 lead to slip at Goole last Saturday, crashing to a 5-4 defeat in Humberside.

Evans said: "After going 3-1 up we were coasting, but poor play and personal mistakes cost us.

"The performance was much better on Monday night- we were pleased with how we dealt with a full time side in a fast paced game.

"We were also very pleased with the performance of Lewis Exall, who played his first game of the season."

Evans revealed that he will be without Wayne Dyer for around a month after the midfielder strained his hamstring against the Brewers, but Chris Jay should return from a back injury this weekend, along with Gavin Day, who banged his head on the dugout at Goole after being substituted last Saturday.

Evans quipped: "He was a bit dazed, so we told Ruth [Romulus' physiotherapist] to tell him he was Ronaldo and get him back out there!

"Fair play to Gavin, in all my years in football I've never seen anyone run into a dugout like that before."