No luck so far in Yeltz striker hunt (From Halesowen News)

No luck so far in Yeltz striker hunt

3:00pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in Football

JOHN Hill believes Halesowen Town are shopping for a new striker at the worst time of year.

The Yeltz boss has spent the last week scouring the market for a new sharp-shooter after Luke Corbett left the club and has since rejoined Evesham United.

But while Hill is confident he will find a suitable target before the looming transfer deadline, he admits many players are reluctant to move as the season winds down.

He said: “I’ve made enquiries about several players and we’ve even looked at sorting loan deals out. But it’s coming to the end of the season and there are not many games left.

“If players are unhappy at clubs they are more than willing to stay and then look to move in the summer, while others are loyal to the clubs they’ve been at all season.

“As a club we aren’t in a position to throw money at someone.

“If you’re a team at the top of the league it might be different.

“But I’ve still got a few irons in the fire and I’m still hopeful we can bring someone in.”

Hill is hopeful Naveed Arshad will return from injury to boost the forward line for Saturday’s visit of Carlton Town. Defender Brendan Kelly misses out as he serves the first of a two game ban.

The Carlton game is the first of three straight home games will likely prove crucial to the Yeltz’s hopes of gate-crashing the Northern League Premier Division One South play-offs. Hill’s side, who also host third-placed Stamford on Tuesday, are currently eight points off the pace with nine games remaining.

Hill said: “If we hit another purple patch there is no reason we can’t get up there but it’s about hitting the right form at the right time. These three home games are important if we are to stand any chance of staying in the mix.

“We know we can cause problems for teams with the way we attack but the problem all season has been conceding and we need to tighten up defensively if we are to stand any hope.”

Last Saturday’s game at Coalville Town, which was postponed, has been rearranged for Tuesday April 9.

Hill added: “We had a few players carrying knocks into last weekend so maybe the game being called off wasn’t the worst thing.”