Trailists give Castle food for thought

12:19pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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Steve Castle has admitted several trialists hoping to earn deals at Saints have given him a welcome headache after impressing in City’s opening pre-season friendly matches.

Midfielders Jamie Eames, Sean Ridgway and Adam Fry showed glimpses of their talent during Saints’ narrow defeats to Barnet and a Spurs XI last week.

The trio are likely to be given more time to shine in away games with Thurrock tonight (Wednesday) and Boreham Wood on Saturday.

Castle is also running the rule over former Boreham Wood defender Ola Williams and striker Ryan Mattos, a former England Schoolboys trialist who has spent time with Barnet and Welwyn Garden City.

Castle, who says he has been ‘inundated’ with phonecalls from players pleading for trials at Clarence Park, admits the ones he has watched already have given him food for thought as he seeks to put the finishing touches to his squad.

Colney Heath-born Eames cut his teeth at Cambridge City’s youth side before Norwich City’s Academy snapped him up. He joined Stevenage, initially on trial, in May 2007 and was loaned to Wivenhoe Town earlier this year.

Fry, son of Peterborough United supremo Barry, also put in a good shift in the 1-0 defeat to the Bees and enjoyed 30 minutes against Spurs while ex-Aldershot, Rushden and Republic of Ireland Under-18 schemer Ridgway showed enough promise in the first game to earn a start against Spurs.

“It would have been nice to have taken those games on in a few weeks but, results aside, it was a good PR exercise for us, Spurs and Barnet,” said Castle. “While we were reasonable solid at the back at the same time we were a little bit shot shy and rusty up front. Everyone looked as if they needed match practice.

“As for the trialists, they have all given me a big problem. They all showed what they can do in little spells but I can’t take them all – I have to work within the budget.

"They all played their part last week but that was in two difficult games against Premiership and Football League opposition. It is very hard to judge lads in those.

"Now we come to a time where we play the likes of Thurrock, Boreham Wood and Hitchin. If they were to come into a side at this level then this is where they have to show they can cut it. It is still early days for them but I’m happy to give them as good an opportunity as I can rather than making snap judgements on people.”