Rob Edwards faces tough call on AFC Telford trialists

Seven on-trial players featured as the Bucks won 4-0 against Haughmond at Wellington Amateurs' School Grove ground on Saturday.

Elliott Durrell, who used to play for Telford and spent last season at Chester City, was the most recognisable to supporters and made his mark, opening the scoring after 22 minutes.

Ant Dwyer, a former Mansfield Town forward, and Will Marsh, a midfielder who came through Liverpool's youth set-up, also netted either side of a Matt Barnes-Homer screamer in the second half.

Defender Aaron Hayden, who came through the academy at Edwards' old club Wolves, former Manchester City striker Joe Nuttall, former Fulham wide man Jordan Evans and ex-Solihull Moors goalkeeper Sheridan Martinez were the others to feature.

On the group of trialists, and seeing three of them score, the Bucks chief said: "It was good. I was really pleased with that.

"They have integrated really well in the week that we have had them.

"There are some really good players so we have got a lot of decisions to make."

Edwards fielded very different line-ups for each half and a total of 24 players were given a chance to impress.

The likes of Ben Bailey and Chekaine Steele were absent because of a holiday and injury respectively, while Paul McCone was not there as he has moved to Stourbridge.

Rob Smith, who was sacked less than a fortnight ago along with assistant Larry Chambers, stated his aim was to have a squad of 18 to work with for the start of the National League North season on August 5, at York City.

On the number he is looking to have by the time the campaign kicks off, Edwards said: "I think that's not a bad number. If you have too many, you can't keep everyone happy.

"You need people to feel like they are always there or thereabouts.

"You want a tight squad that is competitive and everyone feels like they are in it together."

He added: "If you start getting too many bodies in, it becomes watered down and you wouldn't be able to keep everyone happy.

"I would rather have a tighter squad that's competitive, and everyone feels like they have got a chance of playing."