Gingell still in the hunt for Minnis

1:03pm Wednesday 3rd September 2008

CORSHAM Town boss Mel Gingell says he has not given up hope of signing Bradford Town hotshot Matt Minnis, after the striker turned down a move to The Southbank.

The Reds manager plans to move for Minnis in the summer after the striker rejected the chance to link up with the manager he played for at Wiltshire under 18s level.

Gingell said the young striker was interested in a move to Corsham but planned to stay loyal to his current side for the moment.

Gingell said: "Minnis decided to stay where he was, for this season anyway.

"I know he really wanted the challenge but he had only just gone there, so that's fair enough.

"He will be a target for next season definitely."

Gingell told The Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News last week that he wanted a replacement for striker Simon Gray, who who looks likely to be out until Christmas with a back injury.

In better news for The Reds, Gingell has completed the signing of winger Dan Sloan from fellow Toolstation Premier League side Devizes Town.

Tom Smith, who featured for Corsham several times last year, has also signed.

The Reds continued to struggle in the Toolstation Premier Division as they lost 1-0 at Chard Town on Saturday.

Chard avenged their opening day defeat to Gingell's men with a 1-0 victory on their own turf.

The Robins scored the only goal of the game after 10 minutes when Alex Paul's header was turned in by Mark Scott.

Matters did not get any better for Corsham on Tuesday as they lost 2-0 at home to Welton Rovers.

The Chard match was Gingell's last game in charge until at least January, as he is now banned from all management activities.

Assistant boss Graham Learmonth has taken control of the first team.

Gingell admitted he was disappointed with The Reds' start to the campaign.

He said: "I thought we were going to be in a better position than what we are.

"We've just got to get ourselves out of the spiral. We're not having any luck, but that's how it goes."

Corsham are away to Blackfield and Langley in the FA Vase first round qualifying on Saturday.