Gavin Cowan: AFC Telford goalkeeper battle will rumble on

Local lad Andy Wycherley was handed his first start as the Bucks beat York City last weekend and kept his place for Tuesday's draw with Hereford.

The 21-year-old from The Rock, who has supported Telford since the age of six, has Leicester loanee Max Bramley breathing down his neck though.

"Andy has got the jersey at the moment but Max is chomping at the bit to come back in," said Cowan.

"Overall, Max has done really well. It's just good for his development to maybe come out and watch a few games, to see what it's like on the other side.

"He's destined for a good future is Max but I think Andy did well on Tuesday.

"I thought his kicking, for the most part, was very good and he wasn't really tested with crosses or shots.

"I don't think he had a shot to save other than the goal – and that just speaks about our dominant performance."

Wycherley has now made three appearances this campaign while Bramley has played 11 times.

And Cowan insists healthy competition does not apply just to them, but to his whole squad.

"I'm not settled on any of the players," he said.

"They have to prove, every single game, that they're the ones who should be wearing the shirt.

"That's the squad we've got now, they're all pushing each other and want to drive each other on.

"They all understand that they're going to have a part to play this year."

Cowan also provided an update on the condition of defender Zak Lilly, who was forced off seven minutes into last weekend's 2-1 victory against York City.

The injury is not as severe as the Bucks initially feared.

"He's OK. It's not as bad as first thought," added Cowan.

"He's got deep tissue injury to the hip, so it's going to be a couple of weeks."