It’s been a positive couple of weeks in a tough season for Gloucester City. A first away three pointer in nine months at Banbury was backed up by another win on the road at bottom of the table Bishop’s Stortford.
The 4-1 win last Saturday was also the last game for highly rated goalkeeper Zach Jeacock, who was in his second spell at the club.
Jeacock had put in some memorable performances throughout the season, but his inevitable departure has raised some questions as to what happens now at Gloucester.
Jeacock has recently terminated his contract at Birmingham to get a permanent move away, could that be at Gloucester?
“He’s always thought of himself as a Football League goalkeeper and I certainly agree with that. So it was always unlikely we were going to be able to keep him” Said City manager Mike Cook.
“We ourselves are going to have to delve into the transfer market and have signed young Jacob Dennis on loan from Swansea until the end of the year.”
Dennis will offer an intriguing dilemma for Mike, with Liam Armstrong returning on loan from Bishops Cleeve this week as well.
“Liam is a lovely bloke and a great goalkeeper as well. Since I’ve been here I’ve said I can’t help how good Zach is!”
Armstrong was a key component in last seasons play off campaign, coming in for the last few games of the season and helping the club into the knockout games.
However, he has only started one league game this term and will be seen in net in a few more occasions at least.
“Liam will start in the next few games, I’ve promised him that, and he’s earnt it. From there we will see, with Jacob coming in and being an impressive young keeper himself.”
“Jacob will offer us something a bit different, he’s a bit smaller than Zach, both height wise and physically, but a little more agile and has had some good experience in the youth setup at Cardiff this year.”
Armstrong may have the upper hand, knowing the club and the expectation at the moment. With the club in a perilous position, owner Jay Marriott has stated they can’t afford to go down, any mistakes could prove costly.
Gloucester host Kings Lynn at three o’clock today and will certainly be looking to make it three in a row against the team sat just above them in the league.
Both sides were in the play offs last year, with Kings Lynn hitting 90 points, but with contrasting fortunes this time round, the loser may feel their goose is cooked.
So does Mike Cook and Gloucester City take the risk in a young keeper in the near future, or do they stick with a trusted man who has seen it all before with the club. Only time will tell.
