PERSHORE Town are hoping the return of hot-shot Jamie Clarke will provide the finishing touch to turn chances into goals.
Manager Les Jones admits the failure to convert their opportunities has been a recurring theme in recent weeks and it was a similar story last weekend when they went down 3-0 at home to Bilston Town.
However, England Deaflympics international Clarke is expected to complete his move from Stourport Swifts in time to make his debut on Saturday when Pershore tackle Black Country Rangers in the West Midlands League Premier Division.
Two goals from Kevin Nickle and one from substitute Sam Melia gave Bilston the points but Pershore had two ‘goals’ ruled out for offside. Luke Gaffney fired home a rebound after Nick Seabourne hit the post and footage suggested he was clearly a couple of yards onside.
“We’ve been playing good football but not taking our chances and that needs to be addressed,” said Jones.
“Jamie is a proven goalscorer and we’re delighted he is joining us. He has commitments with the England Deaflympics team but he will be a big asset for us.
“He has always scored goals – he was prolific in his previous spell at Pershore and he has scored wherever he has played. Hopefully, it will be a really big boost to our goalscoring.
“Goals change games. We’ve scored seven in the last three games but it’s when you score goals that matter. If it’s a tight game, one goal will be enough.”
The defeat to Bilston meant a second successive home defeat for Jones’ side, pushing them down to tenth place.
Jones is baffled why they have struggled on home turf but he says it cannot continue if they want to challenge for promotion.
“We are not playing well at home which is strange because that was our strength last season and it’s the same players,” said Jones.
“We’ve been really disappointing at home. We can’t afford any more slip-ups if we want to be in the promotion race by Christmas. That’s our target.”
EVESHAM United return to Southern League Division One South action at home to Highworth Town on Saturday.
The Robins saw last weekend’s scheduled match at Devon outfit Bideford fall victim to a waterlogged pitch and they remain fourth in the table – eight points behind leaders Frome Town with three games in hand.
Evesham have been drawn to host Southern Premier Central strugglers Redditch United in the last eight of the Worcestershire Senior Cup. The date is still to be confirmed.