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Non-league preview: Cousins will prove the doubters wrong
Paul Cousins. Photo supplied
WISBECH chief Steve Appleby admits the return of defender Paul Cousins hasn’t met with universal approval - from inside the club.
Appleby has handed the classy centre-back a return to the Fenland Stadium just a matter of months after he made an acrimonious exit to arch-rivals King’s Lynn during the summer.
Cousins’ career there quickly went pear-shaped after he was embroiled in an infamous sex scandal and he moved on to Wroxham, but he has now gone full circle and returned to his roots.
The paperwork on the deal has been slightly held up but Appleby expects it to have been cleared to allow Cousins to relaunch his Fenmen career in a Ridgeons Premier Division trip to Felixstowe & Walton tomorrow.
Appleby said: “There were certainly one or two people within the club that weren’t convinced, but they have to let me manage.
“Paul leaving for Lynn in the summer is water under the bridge as far as I’m concerned. I’ve spoken to him at length about it and he feels things he said at the time were blown out of all proportion.
“I’m sure Paul will win over any doubters with his performances anyway. He is a proven player at this level and he is a leader. We are a very young side and his experience will be of great benefit.”
Providing Cousins is available, Appleby plans to rest Anthony Reeve who has been playing through the pain of a groin injury for several weeks.
The Wisbech chief doesn’t want to risk that problem getting any worse with another central defender, Stacy Cartwright, likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season with facial injuries.
Wisbech are 16 points off the top two place they crave to be in with a chance of winning promotion, but they do have a stack of matches in hand on all teams above them.
Appleby added: “We are not a million miles away from being in a position to challenge and hopefully we can put a run of results together.”
March go to Thetford in a First Division KO Cup quarter-final.
n SPALDING chief Pat Rayment reckons a recent pay-cut was the reason behind the departure of top scorer Simon Mowbray.
The 18-goal forward departed the Sir Halley Stewart Field during the week and Rayment has no plans to sign a replacement.
Rayment said: “Everyone has a worth and it seems that some players here have been on more money than they justify.
“I’ve had to tweak things accordingly and I think Simon felt that he couldn’t continue to play for what was now on the table.
“It’s a mutual parting and I’m happy with the firepower we have in the squad. I’m certain Ricky Miller will only get better with each game while Greg Smith will hopefully get over a bit of a confidence shortage at the moment.”
Rayment is keen to ensure midfielder Jake Thompson remains at the club although the fact he has been travelling to the area with Mowbray could pose a problem.
Rayment has secured the signature of wideman Ben Porter from Northern Star. Porter, who was part of Rayment’s squad during his time in the Deeping hotseat, is in line for a debut tomorrow.
Rayment is also chasing Sleaford man Simon Bolland.
n THE answer to Northern Star’s defensive shortage could already be at the club.
Teenager Jack Raynor caught the eye during his first senior start in a midweek League Cup triumph over Potton. He could now keep his place for a Premier Division trip to Wellingborough tomorrow.
The city club have been low on options at the back since Richard Jones’ recent move to Corby Town.
Manager Chris Plummer said: “Jack did very well on Tuesday and certainly didn’t look out of place in the first team.
“Everyone knows we don’t have the biggest budget and I think it is always important to look at the talent inside the club before rushing out to try and sign players from elsewhere.
“We have a successful Under 18 and reserve set-up and we pride ourselves on bringing youngsters through.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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