CRAIG Edwards said he can’t pick his Billericay Town team on sentiment after goalkeeper Jack Giddens was dropped in favour of new signing Alan Julian.

Giddens, who turned 25 on Friday, watched from the bench as Billericay were beaten 1-0 by Ryman Premier League bottom side Grays Athletic.

Julian, who has played 85 games in the Football League for Gillingham and Stevenage, joined Billericay last Thursday having handed in a transfer request at National League side Bromley.

And the 33-year-old went straight in the team on Saturday, with Edwards citing he ‘had to pick his best players’.

“Alan is a top keeper,” said Edwards. “You can’t pick players on sentiment. Jack is a fantastic keeper but this lad is at a higher level.

“Without pulling any punches, he is a better keeper and you have to pick your best players. I could leave him out for two or three weeks but it defeats the point I have been making about building a side for next year.

“I don’t want to put down Jack but Alan is a top Conference goalkeeper.

“I have been here for seven years and seen more than 200 first team players. Some chose to leave and some we have let go but I can’t play players through sentiment.

“Jack has never let us down but it doesn’t mean to say there are not better choices. The same is true of any position on the pitch.

“We have had some really loyal servants and some have departed but it doesn’t alter the fact that you pick your best team.”

Giddens has played just shy of 100 matches for Town and featured in all but three games since joining at the start of last season.

But Arsenal fan Edwards compared the situation to when Arsenal played Queen’s Park Rangers at Highbury in 1990.

“I was over at Highbury for Arsenal’s match against QPR and we had John Lukic in goal. They had Seaman in goal and everyone knew he would be coming to Arsenal, the deal was done and it was just a coincidental match at the time.

“The whole stadium was singing ‘We all agree Lukic is better than Seaman’ because everyone loved Lukic. But a month later no-one was saying that.

“It is like I say, you get the best in you can. I am delighted to have two good goalkeepers but Alan is the senior keeper.”

Billericay are bidding to reach the Ryman League Cup final tonight when Ryman South side South Park visit New Lodge.

And Edwards has backed his players to reach the cup final.

“We must be better against South Park than we were against Grays,” said Edwards.

Billericay will be without Rob Swaine (injured), and cup-tied duo Olly Sprague and Abs Seymour.