DR MARTENS LEAGUE: CHIPPENHAM Town will learn in the next week whether their bid to snap up highly-rated Yeovil Town youngster James Bent on a full-time basis has been successful.

Bent has scored eight times since joining the Bluebirds on loan from the Nationwide Conference club in early October and Bluebirds chiefs last week asked Yeovil to name their price for the striker.

But Chippenham manager Tommy Saunders, whose bid for Bath City midfielder Jamie Gosling was turned down by Romans chief Alan Pridham last week, is sceptical as to whether Bent be willing to drop down two divisions in order to come to Hardenhuish Park.

He said: "I can't see James Bent coming, I think he will stay at Yeovil. Hopefully he will sign for another month, though.

"We'd obviously love to keep him. He's such a good player and I know he's enjoying himself. But, if I was in his shoes, I know what I'd do. He's a full-time player with a big club."

Bent's current loan deal with the Bluebirds expires next week and club chairman Malcolm Lyus confirmed Chippenham officials will be looking to settle the matter within the next few days.

He said: "We're speaking to Yeovil to see where we stand. If a permanent deal isn't on then we'll extend it for another month. Ideally we'd like to take him full time.

"But it might not suit them or suit Benty. Gary Johnson, the Yeovil manager, was at the Clevedon game to watch him and was very impressed, even though the game only lasted 20 minutes."

Saunders has finally managed to solve his long-standing goalkeeping problem with the signing of Steve Weaver from Weston-super-Mare on an 18-month contract last week.

Weaver will take over the number one jersey from veteran former Weston team-mate Dave Mogg, whose month-long contract at Hardenhuish Park has now ended, and is set to become the fifth goalkeeper the club have used this term at Evesham United on Saturday 8 December.

Said Saunders: "We're pleased to have him on board, he's been a target for a long time. Dave Mogg has been excellent for us, but hopefully Steve Weaver will be the long-term answer."

Chippenham, in pole position in the Western Division table until last Wednesday, now lie four points behind league leaders Halesowen Town after a frustrating sequence of events.

Wednesday's home clash with Clevedon Town was abandoned after 23 minutes due to floodlight failure with the Bluebirds leading their third placed visitors 1-0.

They were dealt a further blow when Bloxwich United, only formed in the summer after a merger between Bloxwich and Blakenhall, decided to withdraw from the league for financial reasons.

Their league record has since been expunged, meaning Chippenham have lost the three points gained from their 4-1 win at the Red Lion Ground on October 20. Halesowen, who had yet to play the doomed midlanders, were the main beneficiaries and claimed top spot before the weekend's matches.

Heavy overnight rain in Staffordshire meant the Bluebirds' match at struggling Rocester was postponed on Saturday, and Halesowen's 2-1 win at Shepshed Dynamo stretched their over second placed Chippenham to four points.

Saunders said: "Unfortunately we're now second, but there's nothing we can do about it now. It was a good time to play Clevedon and a good time to play Rocester.

"The one thing it has meant is we've lost a bit of the momentum we were building up."

Chippenham will be looking to continue their impressive recent form at Evesham on Saturday 8 December.

The Worcestershire club inflicted the Bluebirds' first ever Dr Martens League defeat when they scored two late goals to snatch a win 2-1 at Hardenhuish Park on September 22.

Said Saunders: "They are a very good side. The players will be up for it and will have a score to settle after last time."