Evans - "Young guns did us proud"

ROMULUS boss Richard Evans hailed the performance of his young guns as his side prepared for the Sutton derby with a dramatic fightback at Shepshed Dynamo.

With four youth team graduates in the back five, the Roms came back from two goals down in injury time to snatch a point in Leicestershire, sending Evans’ charges into the derby on the back of a five match unbeaten run.

Evans has several options ready to come back against play-off chasers Sutton on Monday (2nd January, Coles Lane, KO 3pm), but admits he will have to make some tough choices.

“It was obviously concerning to have to put so many young lads into what we knew would be a physical battle at Shepshed, but the lads did so well they have given us a real selection headache.

“We had eight players out through one thing or another – including five defenders and one goalkeeper.

“It was Matthew O’Beirne’s full debut at centre half while Cameron Lee, an under 21s midfielder played at left back.

“Todd Evans did well too, he’s come on leaps and bounds this season, and we had Lewis Exall in goal who has really matured this season and proved he is capable at this level.

“We have bodies back for the Sutton match but it will be difficult to drop those players as they were all tremendous.”

Defenders Sean Robinson and Rob Evans should be back from illness, while Richard Robinson, Ben Richards-Everton and midfielder Gavin Day all return from one-match bans. Nathan Blissett is also available.

Evans added: “The Sutton match, as always, will be a great game – they are going for the play-offs and both sides are capable of scoring plenty of goals.“This is where the 3G pitch will be a big advantage – many derbies get played on poor pitches at this time of year and it kills the game – the quality surface will suit both teams and I’ve got a feeling that this match will be a real cracker for both sets of supporters.”