Moore makes Loxwood switch and Heath sign Lyons brothers

Ollie Moore has made a surprise switch to local rivals Loxwood from Broadbridge Heath - but the Bears have moved quickly to replace him with two Lyons.
St Francis Rangers v Broadbridge Heath. Pic Steve Robards  SR1526329 SUS-151123-123854001St Francis Rangers v Broadbridge Heath. Pic Steve Robards  SR1526329 SUS-151123-123854001
St Francis Rangers v Broadbridge Heath. Pic Steve Robards SR1526329 SUS-151123-123854001

The attacking midfielder has made the short move to Plaistow Road and the Bears have filled the void with experienced brothers Jack and Tom Lyons.

Moore, who came up through the youth team at Heath, has netted 19 goals this season and is back at Loxwood after a short spell there at the start of the 2012/12 season.

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While Heath boss Steve Painter admitted he was gutted to lose him, he was clear, the door remains open for a return.

HOR 031009 Football, Horsham v Boreham Wood. photo by derek martinHOR 031009 Football, Horsham v Boreham Wood. photo by derek martin
HOR 031009 Football, Horsham v Boreham Wood. photo by derek martin

Loxwood manager Mark Beard meanwhile was pleased to have acquired what he sees as a rare attacking midfielder.

He said: “It’s a good signing, he’s a good lad and works with a lot of the players and they said to me a couple of months ago he might be interested.

“I am not really one that eyes up other players, so it was more a case of him coming to me. He said he’d been at Broadbridge Heath for a long time, and felt he needed a new challenge.

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“He had heard pretty good things from our players about what we are trying to do here.

HOR 070810 New signings at Crawley Down FC. Tom Lyons. photo by derek martinHOR 070810 New signings at Crawley Down FC. Tom Lyons. photo by derek martin
HOR 070810 New signings at Crawley Down FC. Tom Lyons. photo by derek martin

“He gets goals for fun and it is hard to come by attacking midfielders these days. With Ollie Gill coming back, those two in midfield with their attacking threat could be the best in the league.

“They are natural finishers that take up attacking positions, players like that are hard to find at any level, I have worked at Brighton and that and you don’t get it much.”

Painter said: “I am really disappointed he has chosen to go back to Loxwood bearing in mind he has been there before and he did not enjoy it.

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“Ollie was one of our main players and has scored lots of goals in the last couple of seasons, but he goes with my best wishes. Good luck to him and as far as I am concerned I have left the door open for him at Broadbridge Heath if it does not work out for him over there.

HOR 031009 Football, Horsham v Boreham Wood. photo by derek martinHOR 031009 Football, Horsham v Boreham Wood. photo by derek martin
HOR 031009 Football, Horsham v Boreham Wood. photo by derek martin

“It’s personally gutting for me as I have a great relationship with Ollie on and off the pitch, but as I say, we would welcome him back here as it’s his home, where he lives and grew up playing football.

“It’s difficult, but we are determined to carry on moving forwards and not look back. There are rumblings that Broadbridge Heath are losing all their players, but it’s only one as far as I am aware!”

Heath have replaced Moore with ex-Horsham and Dorking Wanderers attacking midfielder Jack and striker Tom Lyons, from Haywards Heath.

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Painter also has a couple more additions in the pipeline in addition to the pair due to their backlog of games. He said: “We have been working hard to replace Ollie and we have lost one player, but recruited two or three more if you count Shaun Findlay, who has dual-signed (from Dorking Wanderers).

HOR 070810 New signings at Crawley Down FC. Tom Lyons. photo by derek martinHOR 070810 New signings at Crawley Down FC. Tom Lyons. photo by derek martin
HOR 070810 New signings at Crawley Down FC. Tom Lyons. photo by derek martin

“Jack will be a massive player for us and a major signing, we are all really pleased. He has just got back from travelling and is a great replacement for Ollie.

“He’s one of the biggest signings I have made. We are over the moon and I am working on another two or three.

“I am delighted that both Tom and Jack have signed for the club. Both players bring a lot of experience with them and will help us through this difficult period of fixture congestion.”

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Byron Napper is training at Loxwood, having returned from Australia, but Beard fears they could wait eight weeks for international clearance. He added: “He has come into training and been different class. He wants to go and play as high as he can, but all the time, he’s around the squad it’s a good thing.”

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