QUENTIN TOWNSEND hopes the feeling of being home from home at Pershore Town will persuade Charlie Anagho-Ntamark to resist an approach from Bedworth United.
The striker bagged his sixth goal of the season with a stunning goal of the season contender in Saturday’s narrow 2-1 Midland League Division One defeat at high-flying Ilkeston.
Now the former Hednesford Town man is on the wanted list of Evo-Stik Northern Premier South promotion-chasers Bedworth after they filed a seven-day approach.
However, Pershore boss Townsend hopes Anagho-Ntamark will learn from the ‘mistake’ he made in exiting the Plums for a short spell at Boldmere St Michaels before returning in January.
“I’ve spoken to Charlie and said ‘don’t make the same mistake you did when you went to Boldmere’,” said Townsend. “He went there and sat on the bench for five games.
“I can understand the attraction of going to a club from a higher league, but there are only a few weeks left of the season. Charlie is enjoying his football, he is playing well and he enjoys the fact we are a really family club. He travels from Walsall to play for us and he wouldn’t do that if he didn’t feel settled.
“He said ‘ you’re right’ and hopefully he will stay.”
Anagho-Ntamark’s goal was one to remember against an Ilkeston team who now lie third in the table.
Despite being second best in possession, the Plums battled to stay in the contest in front of a crowd of nearly 500 after Anagho-Ntamark levelled, but an 82nd-minute strike gave the Robins the points.
The sides meet again at the King George V Stadium on Saturday but Pershore will be strengthened by the return of four players.
Chris Bright, Jack Downing, Dave Wilson and James Turk were missing last weekend while Steve Webb was suspended.
It meant Town had only one central midfielder so captain Shaun Griffiths moved forward and Ben Lane also helped out.
“We had to make a few changes and we did well,” said Townsend. “In fairness, Ilkeston had 80 per cent possession but we defended well.
“We didn’t have much sustained pressure but Charlie’s goal was special. He took the ball on the halfway line and shrugged off three massive defenders and slotted into the corner.
“After that, you could see their anxiety and it was just a shame we couldn’t hold on.”
After the clash with Ilkeston, 14th-placed Pershore head to the team immediately above them in the shape of Heath Hayes on Tuesday.