QUENTIN TOWNSEND is confident he can end his quest for a new Pershore Town striker in time for their trip to top four side Lichfield City on Saturday.
Manager Townsend has made signing a new forward his priority to ease the pressure on Jacob Snape as Town’s only out and out centre forward.
After several disappointments in his hunt for a forward since taking over as boss two months ago, Townsend is optimistic a new face will be in Pershore’s ranks as they seek to climb the Midland League Division One table.
“I’ve been trying to solve the striker problem for a good while but I’ve got two targets in mind and I’m hopeful I’ll have at least one in the squad for Saturday,” he said.
“We’ve had one seven-day approach waived by the player’s club and there’s another seven days which will allow me to speak to another striker next week.
“Goalscoring has been a real headache, our record shows that, so if we can finish more of the chances we’ve been creating the results will follow.”
It was a similar story on Saturday when Pershore were edged out 1-0 by visitors Coventry Copsewood. In the first half Matt Hunt and Dan Carter went close for the hosts before Dan Ludlow dragged his effort wide with just the keeper to beat.
Town had plenty of possession but failed to take their chances and a goal on the counter-attack from Connoll Farrell shortly after the break gave Copsewood the points.
“It was frustrating,” said Townsend. “We created enough clearcut chances to have gone in one, two or three goals ahead at the break.
“In the second half, we didn’t look in any danger, but then we got caught by a sucker-punch from one long ball. It’s about scoring goals.
Stern test awaits
Pershore will need to show their defensive powers, though, against a Lichfield side who have bagged the third highest goals tally this season.
“They are one of the big payers in the league and they are one of the top sides,” said Townsend.
“They have got Dave Yonwin, who was top scorer in the league with 49 goals for Bolehall last year, and Tony Clarke who has 20-odd already after joining from Cadbury, so they are a threat up front.
“Defensively we have got to do our jobs properly. We’ve got to nullify their threat.”
On Tuesday Townsend will head to his former club Southam United. He left the Warwickshire outfit last November but they have been sliding down the table since.
Townsend led Southam to two cup finals last season but any old friendships will be left on hold.
“We need the points and the next few games are against teams around us so it’s the chance to get some momentum going,” he added.
Town have a doubt over the availability of midfielder Joe Adams, man of the match on his debut at the weekend, while defender Dane Aldington serves a one-match ban after his red card against Coventry United.
Meanwhile, Pete Jenvey has exited Pershore to join Fairfield Villa, while keeper James Cutts has returned to Stratford after his loan spell.