Jewson/Hellenic Crouch and Baggs aim to restore clubs to past heights

RYAN Crouch and Kieran Baggs are two non-League step 5 supremos determined to steer their clubs back to former heights.

- Simon PARKINSON

RYAN Crouch and Kieran Baggs are two non-League step 5 supremos determined to steer their clubs back to former heights.

Baggs scooped the Paulton Rovers position soon into the close season in the wake of Ray Johnston’s unexpected exit.

Crouch, his opposite number at Cribbs, continues enthusiastically in his player-boss capacity, as he long stated he would, despite his team’s relegation back to the Hellenic League after only two seasons at the level.

The promoted 2022-23 Hellenic Premier Division champions began their campaign with a 2-1 away defeat to Tuffley Rovers and now turn attentions to tomorrow's FA Cup preliminary round encounter with Banbury-based United Counties League outfit Easington Sports.

Crouch, whose powerful header had handed Cribbs a 1-0 interval advantage at Tuffley, insists he is “really happy” with the 20-man squad he assembled and confirmed well before this week's closely-fought programme opener.

The experienced centre-back explained: “We got the lads back in early, at the start of June, which seems forever ago now!

“We had lots of numbers to start with as we assessed players. By the end of June we'd decided on our squad, many of whom were with us last year prepared to drop down a division, some stepping up from our reserves and others coming in with experience of this level of football.”

Crouch raided Hengrove Athletic for four of his new recruits: goalkeeper Aaron Greatbanks, defender Louie Farrow, midfielder Oscar Sullivan and striker Luco Ponsillo.

Brislington duo Joel Smith and Danny Constable switched to The Lawns, as did Cadbury Heath centre-back Ash Kendall, Portishead left-back James Crossley-John and British Army Under-23 forward Buster Reed.