THERE were a few eyebrows raised when Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson first arrived at Huish Park in the summer of 2001 and promptly went out and signed two goalkeepers to work alongside the talented young gun Chris Weale (written by Steve Sowden).

Some supporters felt that three was too many, an unexpected burden on club finances, and that one of them would be left kicking their heels for most of the season.

But the events of the past week have proven that Johnson was right in his liking for three keepers in his squad.

Steve Collis, currently out on loan at Tiverton Town, was sent-off for Tivvy in their match with Bath City last week.

Chris Weale was given his marching orders on Saturday while in goal for Yeovil during their 2-1 Nationwide Conference success against Northwich Victoria at the Avenue Stadium in Dorchester.

And his sending-off subsequently saw the experienced Jon Sheffield come on and make an immediate impact by saving a penalty.

Now with Weale and Collis set to each miss a match through suspension, Sheffield is the one keeper Johnson now has left at his disposal for Yeovil's clash with Halifax on September 21 with both Weale and Collis serving one-game bans on that date.

Johnson said he had a couple of 'irons in the fire' regarding a second keeper for the Halifax match.

But he added: "The need to have three good keepers -- who could all play in the first team -- has been proven.

"Goalkeeping is such a specialist position."