... but Matthews is ready to push him all the way

Goalkeeper Jason Matthews insists he has not come to Twerton Parkto play second fiddle.

Fellow new boy Glyn Garner looks likely to be Adie Britton'snumber-one choice between the sticks but 36-year-old Matthews, whosigned from Conference South side Eastleigh in the summer, insiststhe City boss has promised he will get his chance.

"I'd like to think it will be a case of how we did during thesummer but obviously Glyn has got a lot of league appearances underhis belt," said Matthews, pictured, who spent seven years withWeymouth prior to his move to Eastleigh.

"He's come from Newport at this level as well but the gaffer saidto me when I arrived that he would give me a fair shot. That is whathe has done so far and that's all I can ask for.

"He has given us both a chance and I have started most of thesecond halves during the pre-season games.

"I feel I've been given a fair crack of the whip and I'm reallyenjoying it here and am desperate to get the season started now.

"Hopefully I've done enough to be the one starting on the firstSaturday of the season."

Ryan Robinson, City's main shot-stopper last season, was backedup by 18-yearold student Giancarlo Bohry, whose lack of experiencerestricted him to just two starts.

Now Matthews believes a healthy rivalry for the number-one shirtwill provide a real boost for the club.

"Two good goalkeepers is definitely what we need and its good forcompetition as there are a lot of games to play," he said.

"There are 50 matches in a season at this level so a lot of workto do. You've just got to keep your head down, work hard and try andkeep your form, and hopefully the gaffer will pick you.

"We just look at it one game at a time and you have to beconsistent as its a very cut-throat position. You've got to do wellevery time.

"When I first started at Weymouth it took me until October in myfirst season to get into the team but when I did I played almostevery game after it.

"But with one mistake you could be out and sometimes there is nocomeback from that."