CORTZ BELLE

NEWTOWN manager Bernie McNally is confident of capturing the experienced Cortez Belle before the transfer window slams shut tonight.

The Robins served seven days' notice of approach for the 30-year-old central defender or striker, who ironically was red-carded on his Old Gold debut against Newtown a week last Saturday.

Belle only moved to Richmond Park this summer but is unsettled with his new club and is keen to move, according to sources close to Latham Park.

After scoring 44 goals in two seasons for Merthyr Tydfil, Belle joined Chester City but was allowed to go to Newport County on loan in March 2005.

The move was made permanent and he remained at Spytty Park until a move to Llanelli, despite being fined and transfer-listed by the board in September.

Although he joined the Reds as a striker in mid-season 2005/6, he was then deployed as a defender, but was released in the summer of 2007 and joined Halifax Town, later moving to Northwich Victoria and Chippenham Town.

Belle rejoined Merthyr in 2009 and re-emerged in the Welsh Premier with Port Talbot in August 2011, spending two seasons with the Steelmen before his move to Carmarthen in June, and has scored 21 goals from 78 (+3) Welsh Premier appearances.

Meanwhile, McNally has a selection problem going forward with the news that goalkeeper Mike Platt, who was outstanding in Friday night's 1-0 win at Rhyl, has sustained a broken thumb and will be ruled-out for some time.

Newtown manager Bernard McNally.

BERNARD McNally was frustrated on transfer deadline day as his moves in the market fell through.

The Newtown manager had been hoping for the high-profile capture of Cortez Belle from Carmarthen Town, but was unable to meet the 30-year-old's demands.

Belle, who has plied his trade with Merthyr Tydfil, Chester City, Newport COunty, Llanelli, Halifax Town, Northwich Vics, Chippenham and Port Talbot remains at Richmond Park

I was interested to read in the Yate Town programme about their S Wales based player James Harmer. He was with them last season but left, finding the travelling a problem and returned to play in the Welsh League with Llanwern. But he is now back at Yate.