Clarke: We want to be near the top (From Evesham Journal)

Clarke: We want to be near the top

11:30am Thursday 16th August 2012 in Evo-Stick Southern Premier Table & Results

EVESHAM United manager Matt Clarke hopes to guide his team back to the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division at the first attempt.

The Robins endured relegation to Division One South and West last term but pre-season results have seen them thump Pershore 4-0, Littleton 6-1 and Sutton Coldfield 2-0.

“I don’t like setting targets but, as a club, we want to be up there and challenging for the play-offs,” said the United boss.

“Training is going very well.

We’ve put in some superb preseason performances and will be looking to take that forward into the new campaign.

“We’ve brought in seven or eight new players and have a great dressing room. It didn’t have the right atmosphere before but we’ve got some new characters and now it is my team, which it wasn’t before.

“We’re always on the look-out for new players and if we can get in one or two more before this weekend, then we will be happy.”

Evesham get their campaign under way against Sholing with the first league match at the new Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium on Saturday (3pm) and coach Clarke admitted: “It’s going to be a big test for us.”

Southampton-based Sholing finished fourth in the league last term only to be defeated in the play-offs and the Evesham boss added: “They were unlucky not to get promoted last season. We know we’ll be up against a tough team but hopefully being at home will give us an advantage. The new facilities are outstanding and we hope to get a good crowd.

“If we’re playing good marketable football then more supporters are going to want to come and watch.”

The Robins, who head to Yate next Tuesday (7.45), lost just once in pre-season and drew with professional outfits Shrewsbury, Cheltenham and Hereford.

Evesham’s summer signings include keeper Dean Coleman and striker Luke Corbett as well as the return of Roland Agbor and Marcus Palmer.

They are now looking for an experienced goalkeeping coach.