NEW signing Jamie Spencer intends to seize his opportunity to impress after Stratford Town boss Carl Adams ended a season-long quest for his services.
Former Redditch United and Kidderminster Harriers forward Spencer has been snapped up from Alvechurch and will come into contention for his debut on Saturday when Town head to Frome Town.
After suffering a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat at home to St Ives on Tuesday having led 2-1 with six minutes to go, Stratford will look for a pick-me-up and Spencer wants to provide it.
“Stratford’s a great club and this is an opportunity for me to play at a higher level of football,” said Spencer.
“I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I will impress Carl and score plenty of goals for Town.”
He has had a frustrating lack of football with Midland Premier table-toppers Alvechurch but Adams says the powerful forward has the power and eye for goal to be a threat.
“Jamie will be a strong addition to our squad,” said the manager.
“He’s a big strong lad who scores goals and his signing will increase the competition for places among our strikers.
“I tried to sign him earlier this season so I’m delighted to finally bring him to Stratford.”
However, Adams was left with a different emotion on Tuesday when Town let three points slip in losing to St Ives.
It was another painful lesson, stressed Adams, in how to manage a game.
“When you are a goal up with five minutes to play you should make sure that you see the game out,” he said. “Our problem is that we can’t seem to play ugly.
“In those situations you should get everyone behind the ball and clear it into row Z if you have to. We again showed a lack of experience to see a game out.
“I made a decision at the start of the season to go with young players and, while they’ve shown great character in gaining creditable results on the road, sometimes the lack of experience shows and it’s got to stop.”
Stratford had looked well placed to take the points against St Ives until a dramatic finale at the DCS Stadium.
Justin Marsden had fired the hosts ahead in the first minute, meeting Charlie Faulkner’s cross with a volleyed finish.
Jack Bradshaw hauled St Ives level six minutes later but Stratford thought they had grabbed the points when Will Grocutt, back after a three-week injury lay-off, fired home after Dan Summerfield’s free kick was only half cleared.
On 89 minutes, Bradshaw hauled St Ives level for the second time with cracking 30-yarder and four minutes into stoppage time they were celebrating an unlikely winner as Ben Seymour-Shrove pounced with a curled finish.
Injuries will again mean Edwin Ahenkorah (knee) and Kieren Westwood (groin) miss out on Saturday, while Ben Stephens and Mike Taylor will need fitness checks after being on the bench in midweek.
On Tuesday Town head to local rivals Leamington for a Birmingham Senior Cup quarter-final.
