FOOTBALL: City need new keeper after Ruiz quits (From The Oxford Times)

FOOTBALL: City need new keeper after Ruiz quits

10:00am Friday 10th August 2012 in Evo-Stick Southern Premier Table & Results By Nick Farrant, Sports reporter specialising in Non League Football. Call me on 01865 425488

Oxford City have been dealt a blow just a week before their Blue Square Bet North campaign kicks-off after keeper Mikuael Jaiomoz Ruiz signed a contract with AFC Wimbledon.

Boss Mike Ford thought he had got his man after the former Dover stopper made his debut in the 1-0 win at Rugby Town last weekend.

But hours before Tuesday’s home friendly with Hayes & Yeading he rang Ford to tell him the news, so 16-year-old youth team keeper, Christian Lawrence, played.

“I’m now missing a goalkeeper – he disappeared on Tuesday,” said Ford.

“He rang on the afternoon of the game to say he was signing a full-time contract with Wimbledon.

“When someone is offered the chance to play for a League Two club you can’t really stop them going.

“Christian did very well, but I’m looking to bring in an experienced keeper.

“I have got a couple of irons in the fire and hopefuly the one that plays against Oxford United will be here for the rest of the season.”

Meanwhile, former Oxford United defender Steven Kinniburgh will not be joining the Court Place Farm outfit.

He played in Tuesday’s friendly, but Ford said: “Someone contacted me to ask if I could give him some game-time and you can’t turn down someone with his pedigree.

“He played 25 minutes, but he looked like he was carrying a bit and and hadn’t played much football.

“He was no better than what we have here. I had a chat with him and we won’t be pursuing that.”

Ford will decide the futures of Michael Alexis and Andy Gunn after the U’s friendly.