Under starter’s orders

FRONTLINE CHANCE: Tom Eaves.

Penney has faith in teenage striker
TOM EAVES is set to start for Athletic before the season is up.

The powerful 18-year-old striker’s appearances from the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks have impressed manager Dave Penney sufficiently for him to be given an opportunity to shine — at least, once League One safety has been assured.

Yet to get off the mark for the first team, the impressive Eaves came close to breaking his duck with an energetic second-half display at Southampton on Tuesday night, the highlight of which was a run from halfway and shot which home goalkeeper Kelvin Davis did well to save.

“He has been round us for two or three months now, training with the first team,” said Penney of the striking prospect.

“He has got his new contract as a professional and he deserves it. He is getting better and better and hopefully, when we get safe, we might be able to give him a start.”

Eaves could even be in the 11 for the home game against Southend on Saturday, depending on whether Penney is prepared to split his regular front two of Pawel Abbott and Lewis Guy.

In other team news, Chris Taylor could yet be back in contention to play in Athletic’s last couple of games of the season.

The winger suffered a tear in his calf muscle following the home win over Bristol Rovers and seemed set to sit out the remainder of the campaign.

But Taylor has recovered well and may be in line to give Penney another wide option for the visit to Yeovil on Saturday week.

Left-back Joe Jacobson is out for the season, though. The former Bristol Rovers player is recovering from an operation to cure a long-standing pelvic problem and is set to be given time to recover.


ATHLETIC’S reserves were defeated 3-2 at home by Tranmere at Ewen Fields last night.

Lewis Alessandra gave Lee Duxbury’s men the lead only for Aaron Cresswell to equalise six minutes later.

Jay Ashcroft quickly put Rovers 2-1 up and the visitors went further ahead when Kithson Bain fired into the top corner.

Djeny Bembo-Leta’s excellent strike from the edge of the area pulled a goal back, but it wasn’t enough.

Reserves: Floszman, Mellor, Rowney, Fodor, Esdaile-Biney, Crompton, Matt A Carr, Alessandra, Bembo-Leta, Steer. Subs: Cowan, Simpson, Kidd, Matt D Carr, Hughes.