STUDLEY manager Kevin Rowlands was in sarcastic mood after seeing two of his players leave last weekend.

Rowlands, who spent a short time at Common Road when Dave Busst first arrived, was reflecting on more movement between his past and current employers.

"Since last week I've lost my star striker Shane Benjamin to Evesham, my sweeper and coach Andy Smith to Malvern and my black Labrador Barney, and he's the one I want back the most!" said the Bees boss.

A want-away canine topped off a week which saw Rowlands fail to talk

Benjamin out of a move to Common Road - a well-worn route for Studley players.

"In the past couple of years Evesham have had Dave Adey, Steve Hands, Adam Blake, Steve Duncan and Jamie Bailey," moaned Rowlands. "I'm expecting their next seven-day approach to be for me. I'm doing half of Dave Busst's job already, they may as well have me full time!"

There was some consolation for Rowlands in the return of forward Bailey who is no longer part of Busst's plans.

Former United favo-urite Smith was tempted away by the promise of Southern League football offered by Alliance champions-elect Malvern.

"Both players go with our blessing, we were never going to hold on to Shane because of his ambition. He wants to play at the highest non-league level and has chosen to try and get there through the Evesham route."

Busst laughed off any suggestion of "poaching" adding that he had a good relationship with Kevin and Studley.

"If we hadn't signed Shane then another club would have taken him. I know a lot of their players have come here but plenty of our players have also finished off there."