LES Jones describes Pershore Town’s clash with visitors Dudley Town on Saturday as a ‘must-win’ – because it will be another month before they play on home soil.
The Plums manager admits he is baffled why they follow this weekend’s fixture with a run of three away league matches in succession, as well as an FA Vase trip.
After Saturday, Pershore visit Wolverhampton Casuals (August 24), Littleton (September 7) and Worcester Raiders (September 14) before returning to the Community Stadium on September 21 to tackle Shifnal Town.
In between, on Sunday, September 1, they tackle Malvern in the FA Vase, with Evesham United the venue because the Hillsiders’ Langland Stadium is being refurbished.
The Plums chalked up their first victory of the West Midlands League Premier Division season last weekend when goals from Shaun Griffiths, Umit Eminoglu and James Baldwin sealed a convincing 3-1 success at Dudley Sports and they want to build on the positives from that display.
“It was a comprehensive win and the only frustration was that we didn’t keep a clean sheet,” said Jones. “We could have won by a few more but we would have taken the win after drawing our first game. The squad is still taking shape.
“Saturday now becomes a must-win, just because of the fixture schedule. After Saturday we are not at home again until September 21. It puts an emphasis on getting three points.
“I can’t understand why we can’t just have a home game, followed by an away game, when the fixtures are compiled. That seems to be the simplest thing for me.
“It leaves us at a disadvantage, especially when you look we’re playing some of the top sides week after week. It’s not only having four away games in a row, including Malvern, but it means we don’t get any home income for a month which is not great.
“But we will get on with it.”
Dudley Town have lost both their games so far – 4-3 to Raiders and 5-0 last week at Littleton – but Pershore are likely to make changes.
Striker Nick Seabourne is unavailable, although Matt Pinder could come in, while midfielder Ben Lane is now in contention after missing the first two games through suspension.
Jones praised the team-work throughout the Pershore ranks as they swept aside Dudley Sports last weekend at Hillcrest Avenue.
Pershore’s opening goal came on 24 minutes when Griffiths nodded home a left-winger corner from Eminoglu.
Former Feckenham player Eminoglu steered home a smart second from 12 yards to make it 2-0 nine minutes into the second half.
Sustained pressure brought a third goal just past the hour, with Baldwin hooking home from close-range, but Sports bagged a consolation effort through Jarad Daniels.
“The way we played on Saturday was the way we want to play,” said Jones. “We played some good football and scored some good goals. There wasn’t a poor performance from anybody.”