Toolstation NCEL Division One
Conner Harman has signed for Hall Road
Hall Road Rangers manager Dave Ricardo expressed his gratitude for Bridlington Town chairman Peter Smurthwaite ‘flexibility’ in helping him complete two emergency signings.
Goole AFC midfielders Louis Kirk and Connor Harman joined Hall Road in time for Saturday’s victory over Knaresborough due to Mr Smurthwaite’s willingness to overlook the seven days’ notice.
The pair left Bridlington in September, but the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division retained their NCEL registration.
The Hull-based pair became available after the Vikings sacked Dave Anderson last week.
“We’ve been lucky enough to get the players in we’ve needed,” Ricardo said.
“Ten days ago with suspensions and holidays we knew we’d be struggling to get a good side out against Knaresborough.
“I’d like to say thank you to Pete for waiving the seven days in both instances. Pete’s a great guy, I’ve known him for a long time.
“If it wasn’t for Pete’s flexibility in letting the players go then we wouldn’t have been able to sign them in time, so it was all down to his generosity that we were.”
Harman will be a more permanent fixture at Haworth Park have signed for the remainder of the season.
But Kirk is not expected to appear beyond the visit of Rossington Main on Tuesday night.
“Getting Louis for two games is more than I thought we’d have at the start of the season,” he said.
“He scored one and set one up, he was a nuisance all day.
“Connor has got ability, his range of passing is very good and he’s got experience of playing at Evo-Stik level this season.”
As soon as the final whistle sounded, Ricardo and his assistant Bill Gill turned to Tuesday night’s game and the need for some work on the pitch at Haworth Park; they could rely on committed volunteer Lee Myers to be out on the roller the next morning.
However smooth the surface might be, Ricardo still spots the potential for slip-ups against strugglers Rossington.
“On paper you’d think we’d beat them but they’ve drawn at Yorkshire Amateur so it’s another potential banana skin,” he said.
“We slipped up ourselves against Amateur, Shirebrook and Dronfield, we can’t take anything for granted.”