QUENTIN TOWNSEND is optimistic he will follow the capture of striker Kyle Turner by bolstering Pershore Town’s defence and signing his close pal Dan Getliff.
Turner has joined from Atherstone Town and will fill the gap left by the exit of Pawel Tomczak and Jamie Clarke’s unavailability.
With Town having three defenders suspended for the Midland League Division One trip to Chelmsley Town on Saturday, manager Townsend expects to complete a move for Getliff from Bolehall Swifts.
Pershore’s winless run was extended to 14 games after Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Paget Rangers, which followed Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Coventry Alvis, but Townsend, who was forced into action himself midweek, says fortunes could have been very different.
Pershore twice led at Paget, with recent recruit Charlie Anagho-Ntamark scoring his first goal and Steve Webb also on target, before a 79th-minute strike pegged them back.
Town were also in a winning position against Alvis, with James Walker scoring after six minutes with a close-range header, only to end up with eight men.
Aaron Xavier was sent off for conceding a penalty which allowed Alvis to level before the visitors edged ahead and then skipper Shaun Griffiths was red-carded for retaliation and Walker was sent off for two bookings.
“Saturday was one of the strangest game I’ve ever been involved in,” said Townsend. “We could, should, have put the game to bed at half time. Then the red card for Aaron was harsh and suddenly we’ve lost 2-1 and it’s hard to fathom.
“On Tuesday, we should have had the three points but the performance overall was positive. We just need that little bit of mental strength to see the game out.
“Saturday was probably the lowest point of my time with Pershore but I was proud on Tuesday with how we played. Charlie and Alfie Bloomer up front caused them all sorts of problems.”
Despite missing the Paget game with a groin injury, the capture of Tamworth-based Turner will add extra firepower to the Pershore goals column. He has netted 77 goals in 119 appearances, including spells at Southam United, Bromsgrove Sporting, Bolehall Swifts and the Adders.
“I’m had Kyle at Southam and I’ve been a long-term admirer. I’ve been after him for the last two years,” said Townsend. “His goals record is top notch.”
Pershore have also added former Bromsgrove Sporting player James Turk to their ranks. Due to family commitments, the midfielder is only available for midweek games and he is set to feature on Wednesday when Pershore visit Bilston Town Community in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup.
The winners will be away to Bromyard Town in the quarter-finals.
Webb (ankle injury) faces a fitness test for Saturday’s game while Dean Waldron is set to miss a couple of weeks as he recovers from an injection to ease a hip problem. Will Stallard, Oliver Saunders and Dean Aldington remain long-term casualties.