DAVID Elm has become the area's second Ryman League goalkeeper to have been placed on the transfer list.

Days after Eastleigh announced that Colin Matthews had been listed at his own request, Bashley have decided former Dorchester man Elm needs a change of scenery after two years at the Recreation Ground.

Two poor kicks by Elm contributed to Tuesday night's 3-2 home defeat by Horsham and, for the second time in as many weeks, he was substituted by his young understudy Stacey Harper.

What mystifies Bash boss Geoff Butler is why Elm appears so drained of confidence when, Tuesday aside, the Foresters are doing well in Ryman 1.

He said: "David Elm has got a lot of qualities to be a good goalkeeper - he's got size and presence and he's not frightened. But for some reason his confidence is shot, even though the team are doing well and he's got a decent defence in front of him.

"He's had some very good games for us, no question, but maybe he needs a new challenge elsewhere."

It's not out of the question that Butler will stick with Elm for tomorrow's home clash against Burgess Hill Town who, like Bash, are in the race for the play-off spots.

He said: "David's still at the club and while he's here he will be expected to do a job for the first team."

Alternatively Harper - a former Republic of Ireland, Fulham and Oxford scholar, who joined Bash from Woking during the summer - could get the nod, or new signing Alan Walker-Harris from Lymington & New Milton, who has been out all season with an ankle injury.

With frontman Danny Gibbons still suspended and Dave Wakefield struggling with his back, Bash may again call on Steve Tate. The former Waterlooville, Havant and Weymouth hitman, who won the FA Vase with Winchester City last season, played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday when Bashley also gave a first outing to 18-year-old midfield signing Chris Knowles from Fairford Town.

Knowles had a sound enough debut, but Butler said: "He showed good touches but he's not really up to a first-team place just yet. He's young, small and lightweight and at this level you need a bit of strength, guile and knowledge."