FOOTBALL: Elkins keen on Peirson u-turn (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: Elkins keen on Peirson u-turn

10:00am Friday 26th October 2012 in Headlines By Nick Farrant, Sports reporter specialising in Non League Football. Call me on 01865 425488

Didcot Town manager Gary Elkins is hoping that Richard Peirson will have a change of heart after he decided to retire from the game.
The former Oxford City and Abingdon United defender, 35, called time on his 20-year career after Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup exit at home to Arlesey.
But Elkins said the door was still open for Peirson to return for his third spell at the Division 1 South & West club.
“I’m disappointed to lose him, because he has been a great servant,” said Elkins.
“It’s not just his contribution as a player, but for the example he set on and off the field in what has been a great career.
“I told him I didn’t want him to go. I said he should go away and think about it, but  he wanted to go out at the top.”
Meanwhile, Elkins has a host of injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s second qualifying round trip to Poole Town.
Marcos Belloli-Pereira (ank-le), Lee Henderson (groin strain) and Lance Williams (shin injury) are doubts after going off in Tuesday’s 4-2 win at Evesham leaving them without substitutes and only ten men. Morgan Williams (ankle) had withdrawn late on.
If Belloli-Pereira is unfit, Mauro Ramos De Jesus-Pereira will continue in goal.
Elkins was delighted with the win at Evesham.
He added: “We got an early goal and then a silly back pass let them back in.
“We didn’t work hard enough, so I laid into them at half-time.
“I said ‘Let’s forget about Saturday and put on a good performance’ and to their credit they really worked hard and closed them down.
“It was a good win because they haven’t lost many games and Poole will be just as tough.
“They have been going well, but lost last weekend (4-0 at North Leigh) and drew in the week, so it may be a good time to play them.”