CHIPPENHAM Town boss Steve White is desperately trying to bring in a new striker to boost his attack before Saturday's top of the table clash with fourth-placed Chesham.
White is concerned that his three strikers' goals have dried up in recent weeks and believes he needs two frontmen. After Saturday's game Town face a trip to Cirencester on Tuesday night and then tough games at Kings Lynn and at home to Aylesbury United in successive weeks.
One of those strikers will almost certainly be 19-year-old former Swindon Town reserve team player Mark Draycott, who went to play in America after being rejected at the County Ground.
He has impressed White training and has signed a non-contract registration form.
The club will need international clearance from FIFA to complete the signing. Said White: "He was done very well in training. He's still a bit short of fitness but if we get the clearance sorted, which should happen before Friday, he could be on the bench on Saturday.
"He's a strong lad and he holds the ball up well, which is something I think we lack a bit at the moment.
"He will complement James Constable's pace and Martin Paul's finishing in the box.''
White is reluctant to name his other striking target, a youngster at a Screwfix Premier Division club.
"We've put in a seven days approach for him and I am trying to do something before the weekend,'' he said last night.
"I've spoken to his dad and I believe he'll want to come here, it is just a matter of sorting out the money side of things.
"I haven't spoken to the board about bringing anyone else in yet but I am sure they will want to strengthen the side if I can come to them with the right person.''
White admits he may have to lose a player to fund the arrival of one or two new ones.
"Finances are tight and I might have to make a difficult decision,'' he said. "If one goes out and two come in and that leaves us stronger then it will benefit the club.''
Meanwhile White is calling on his existing strikers to recapture their early season form. Most of the club's recent goals have come from midfielders or defenders. Centre midfielder Gary Horgan weighed in with a spectacular 25-yarder in the 2-0 in at Solihull on Saturday that keeps Town second behind leaders Halesowen only on goal difference.
Town supporters would have been interested to see Halesowen equalise in the 95th minute against nine-man Dunstable. The midlanders needed nine minutes of injury time to grab a 3-3 draw with Chippenham earlier in the season.
White said of his strikers: "We've been looking at shooting and finishing in training this week. It is an area where we haven't spent a massive amount of time so far this season.
"It is fair to say the strikers have been misfiring over the last few weeks and I will be looking for a little bit more from them.''
Chippenham have resolved their row with Lymington and New Milton over accusation that Town fans attacked the Hampshire club's coach and a director.
Chippenham secretary Chris Blake said the matter has been resolved amicably.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article