Lowestoft Town no worries over rookie keeper
Lowestoft Town joint boss Ady Gallagher says he has no worries about throwing new goalkeeper Shaun Phillips into the heat of FA Trophy battle tomorrow against Salisbury City in the first round proper.
With first choice goalkeeper Andy Reynolds out with an ankle injury and understudy Jake Jessup suspended, the Trawlerboys acted quickly to bring in the 17-year-old from Colchester United on a work experience deal.
Despite having little first team experience, Gallagher saw enough in Phillips' debut against Dulwich Hamlet to suggest the Blues will be in safe hands against the Conference South outfit.
'He seems a very calm lad and he has got all the attributes to be a very good goalkeeper,' said Gallagher, whose side go into the tie full of confidence after going 10 games unbeaten in all competitions. 'We've got no worries about starting him on Saturday. He is very highly rated by Colchester. He has signed on work experience so as long as it's working out for both parties then we will keep him at the club.'
Gallagher thanked Colchester for their co-operation in the deal and hopes the move can work out well for all parties.
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'We are lucky to have good contacts with Colchester and he came in against Dulwich and did very well,' he added. 'He is a young lad, it will be good for Colchester and him to get some competitive football and we appreciate them letting him out to us.'
Gallagher admitted his side will be the underdogs at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium, but insists the Blues have got enough quality in their squad to compete against a side at the level they are striving to compete at next season.
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'We are expecting a really tough game, but in game like this it's important to concentrate on what we are good at,' he said. 'We are the underdogs and we are travelling across the country, but these sorts of games are important for the development of the club.
'The players that we have got are capable of playing at that level and it's obviously a level we want to be playing at next season, but there's still a long way to go.
'We've got a lot of belief in these players and it's a chance for them to show what they can do.'
