PERSHORE TOWN boss Paul Harris have plenty of positives to build on as they prepare for their first match in the West Midlands League Premier Division on Saturday.
Despite ending the warm-up games with a 2-1 defeat at Shropshire side Newport Town, Harris has seen enough progress to be excited about the new campaign.
The Plums though couldn’t have wished for a tougher start. Having been moved across from the Midland League Division One as part of the FA’s restructuring, Pershore kick off away to Malvern Town, one of the title favourites.
“The lads will be up for it, I’m sure,” said Harris. “It’s a big derby and Malvern are a strong side who have been up near the top of the table for the last few seasons.
“It will be a real test but we’re raring to go.”
Player-coach Luke Harris added: “Our results in pre-season haven’t been reflective of our performances. We know what we have to improve on and will work on that in training to get it right ahead of Saturday’s opener.”
Apart from six years in the old Midland Alliance, Pershore spent their entire senior career in the Midland League but Harris, promoted as boss after Quentin Townsend’s exit in May, is excited by the challenge of taking on new teams and new venues.
With a largely new squad, plus a handful of players from last season including skipper Dave Wilson and vice-captain Toby Wilcox, it will be a quick learning process.
“Ahead of our first league fixture at Malvern, the lads are looking strong and physical,” said assistant coach Adam Lapajne. “Even though we are a restructured team, we are gelling together nicely and going from strength to strength.”
A list of absentees hasn’t helped in pre-season, with Pershore winning one and losing three. Joe Barrett fired them ahead in last weekend’s trip to Newport but two late goals gave the hosts the victory.
But Pershore will have front-runner Phil Marsh back tomorrow after holidays.
“He is a big targetman for us and he gets the ball to stick upfront,” said Harris. “He will be important for us.”
Pershore kick off their home fixtures on Tuesday when they welcome Dudley Town to the King George V Stadium.