As we come to the latter parts of our second season in the Vanarama National League, let’s take a look at how every member in the squad and some of the youth squad has got on. This edition will focus on the goalkeepers. Furthermore, at the end of each article there will be a player who would be a good signing in our current league to sign at the end of the season.
Dean Brill
Starting with the goalkeepers Dean Brill is the number one, the former Inverness man came in to our squad initially as a goalkeeper coach under former boss Steve Davis but was promoted to first choice when Justin Edinburgh was in charge with his first game being Solihull Moors away.
This season, Dean has been consistent on the whole but with a few outstanding performances, saving two penalties both away from home at Dover and Hartlepool respectively.
In this age of modern goalkeepers who tend to play like midfielders, Dean provides an old school approach but is arguably one of the best keepers in the league and come the end of this season, may have a promotion medal to his name. At the age of 33 he also has a good few years in him which O’s fan can look forward to.
Sam Sargeant
Within the squad there is four other keepers, Sam Sargeant has been the number 2 this season and the 21-year-old is highly thought of by many O’s fans. Sargeant is a very solid shot-stopper who shows great deals of passion and will hopefully have his chance soon.
Charlie Grainger
Charlie Grainger has been injured as of late but also is a young keeper with bags of potential. The 22-year-old is very acrobatic and has also had first team opportunities in the past years and impressed albeit under a shaky defence. My prediction is that Charlie Grainger will be loaned out to perhaps a National League South club or may well move on in the summer.
Arthur Janata
Arthur Janata is an up-and-coming goalkeeper at the Breyer Group Stadium, the 18-year-old was captain of the youth squad last season and I've seen him play on multiple occasions. His reflexes and distribution is very good and even at such a young age has had first team games at Waltham Abbey and Bishops Stortford - the latter being where he has made penalty saves and grabbed a man of the match award.
Samuel Amedu and Rhys Byrne
Samuel Amedu and Rhys Byrne are the current youth team keepers and they are both promising young keepers. I have seen Samuel play a few times and he looks to be a very acrobatic young keeper. Unfortunately, with the uncertainty surrounding the academy, this may see both of these keepers move on.
Wishlist: Nathan Ashmore
My Wishlist for a goalkeeper is Nathan Ashmore, the eccentric Ebbsfleet keeper has been outstanding for a few seasons and the 29 year old has been the number one at the northern Kent side for a few years now.
Nathan is a very strong commanding keeper but with extremely good reactions which makes him an all-round keeper. Unfortunately the keeper has been subject to horrific abuse a few times this season and has recently been on TalkSport documenting his story. The 29 year old would be a good signing to fight for Dean Brill’s number 1 jersey.
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