STRATFORD Town face a battle to keep hold of summer signing Mike Taylor after Redditch United made a move for the striker, writes Colin Stoner.
Taylor has been targeted by Town’s Southern Premier rivals after they were left searching for a new forward when Clinton Morrison left the Reds.
Stratford manager Carl Adams confirmed the club had received a seven-day approach and the Reds will be able to speak to the former Worcester City and Solihull Moors player in the next week, but Adams hopes to convince him to stay.
“Redditch have made an approach but we don’t want to lose Mike,” said Adams. “He gives something different to the other strikers we’ve got. We’ll know more next week.”
Taylor, who scored in the opening day draw at St Ives Town, missed Tuesday night’s 0-0 stalemate at Slough Town through work, but should be in contention for tomorrow’s (Saturday) home game with Hitchin Town at the DCS Stadium.
Adams also hopes exciting front-runner Dior Angus, who has yet to feature in the league after a pre-season hamstring injury, could be involved against Hitchin as Town look for their first win after three draws from four games.
Edwin Ahenkorah started for the first time this term in midweek after his lengthy absence last season to provide another option.
Adams says there were positives to build on after Tuesday’s display, with a first clean sheet of the campaign at Holloways Park, a man of the match display by new signing Dan Summerfield and a return to form for Liam Francis and Emmitt Delfouneso.
“It was a good, solid performance,” said Adams. “It certainly gives us something to build on.
“It’s a shame we’ve not got that win yet because in all four games we’ve been in with a shout to get all three points.
“The pleasing thing on Tuesday was that we looked strong defensively. I hammered Liam Francis and Emmitt Delfouneso after the Redditch game but I got the response I wanted. They are too nice at times.
“Dan came in and had a pleasing debut. He will make a decent addition to the squad.”
Right back Summerfield, who was with Merthyr Town and Halesowen Town, got his chance because Jordan Cullinane-Liburd was injured in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Basingstoke and the latter, along with midfielder Simeon Tulloch, is again sidelined against Hitchin.
Keeper Niall Cooper is also unavailable due to family commitments and Stratford are hoping to draft in Solihull Moors’ Nathan Vaughan.
With youngster James Cutts recovering from a back injury, Town sent out an SOS to Moors and Vaughan, who has plenty of experience with Worcester City, Kidderminster and Evesham, is set to join for a one-off appearance.
