QUENTIN TOWNSEND believes Pershore Town are ‘playing with a smile on our faces’ as they look to push towards the top half of Midland League Division One.
The Pershore boss admitted defeat last weekend might have left them looking over their shoulders towards the relegation zone, but a convincing display of finishing secured a 4-0 win against visitors Chelmsley Town to record a first win in four matches.
Goals from Terrence Morton, Charlie Anagho-Ntamark, Jack Downing and Alfie Bloomer wrapped up the points at the King George v Stadium and Townsend hopes they can continue the momentum when they head to Coventry Copsewood on Saturday.
“We were a little bit sloppy early on against Chelmsley and they had a lot of the ball in the first 20 minutes without breaking through,” said Townsend. “But once we got the first goal we relaxed and played some good football.
“We were able to play with a smile on our faces.
“It’s about self-belief. We want to play football the right way – we won’t just lump it forward – and we’re showing we can do that.”
Pershore’s attacking prowess was key as they completed the double against Chelmsley, with three forwards on target. After midfielder Morton hit the opener from Chris Bright’s cross, Anagho-Ntamark netted his second goal since his return from Boldmere St Michaels with a glancing header.
Youngster Downing then got his first goal since joining from AFC Telford for 3-0 and Bloomer, scorer of a brilliant long-range chip at Chelmsley, produced another cracking lob from 30 yards.
Townsend was pleased to see teenager Downing get off the mark.
“He has got an eye for goal. Jack has been top scorer for the last three years through Telford’s age groups and he is quite a feisty lad which I like,” said Townsend.
“He is only just turned 17 and he is having his first experience of men’s football but he is quite forthright in the dressing room. He has worked his socks off for the team.”
Pershore lie 14th in the table, eight points off 11th-placed Paget Rangers and six points behind 12th-placed Copsewood.
Only once since 2002 have Pershore finished in the top half of the table and that is a target to push the players for the next three months.
“Apart from Lichfield last week when we lost 3-1 in a scoreline that didn’t reflect the game and the match against Racing Club Warwick, who are a very good team, we’ve been pretty consistent in the past couple of months,” said Townsend.
“We’ve got a settled team and hopefully we can build on it.”
EVESHAM United will hope to return to Southern League West action at Yate Town on Saturday.
The Robins have endured a frustrating week having seen successive league games postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Saturday’s home game against Slimbridge fell victim to downpours and Tuesday’s scheduled visit to Cinderford Town suffered the same fate. It is the second time the latter fixture has been postponed. A new date has yet to be arranged.
The Slimbridge match will now take place at the Jubilee Stadium on Wednesday, February 21. Evesham are sixth – outside the play-off places by one point with a game in hand.