QUENTIN Townsend will wish managerial pal Kevin Kingham a successful season – if and when Pershore Town have added to the Studley boss’ current woes!
Pershore head to the Beehive on Saturday looking to return to winning ways at the expense of the hosts who have won just once all season.
Town have already beaten the Bees 4-0 and manager Townsend wants to record a double to provide another confidence boost in their push away from the lower part of the Midland League Division One table.
Townsend has sympathy for Kingham’s plight – but not from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday.
“I’ve known Kev for a good while and I want him to do well,” said Townsend. “But not against Pershore.
“Studley have been struggling for results but they’ve got some good players, including three of my former players at Pershore – Dan Ludlow, Chris Charles and Myles Jones.
“Things will change for them, Kev will turn it around, but we don’t want to become the team which starts their good run.”
Pershore were denied victory on Saturday after conceding a last minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw at home to Heather St John’s.
The hosts had fallen behind to a 11th-minute free kick but Sean Cooke and Jamie Clarke fired Town ahead, only for nine-men Heather to level.
However, having called for a positive response to the previous week’s ‘rock bottom’ defeat to Bolehall Swifts, Townsend saw more positives.
“I was disappointed to concede late on from a defensive error – we should have won,” he said.
“We let in an early goal but we bounced back. We showed character and determination and that’s the response I wanted.
“We need to keep up that level – the players know that. The first half against Bolehall wasn’t good enough. I had words with the players. It couldn’t continue and now we need to get some consistency into our season.”
Pershore have added to their squad by signing young prospect Jelson Antonio on loan from Kidderminster Harriers.
The Portuguese forward’s arrival is well timed, with top scorer Clarke missing for six weeks after the Studley game due to work commitments.
“I know after speaking to Matt Gardiner that Jelson is highly thought of at Kidderminster after coming through their academy but now he’s too old for youth football,” said Townsend.
“He is 6ft 2in, absolutely rapid and good in the air. He could cause defence sa lot of problems.”
Full back Steve Webb will be ruled out of the Pershore line-up to face Studley after being injured last weekend while front-runner Louis Bridges (quad muscle) is also absent.
Shaun Griffiths (ankle) and Will Gayton (blistered foot) will have fitness tests but should be fit.