Mark Saunders demands more Tivvy firepower

Mark Saunders has urged his Tiverton Town strikers to rediscover their goalscoring touch in a bid to end the club's poor run of form.

The Yellows are winless in 15 matches in all competitions following Saturday's 0-0 Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South and West draw at Bridgwater Town, against whom striker Joe Bushin missed a penalty.

A lack of goals has hindered Saunders' attempts to kick-start Tivvy's ailing play-off campaign, with just six goals scored in their last nine league matches.

"We seem to have dried up in front of goal. They were going in from all angles before Christmas but they are not any more," said Saunders.

£3 Off Instant Passport / ID Photos - Fully Guaranteed Service

J & A Cameras Ltd

View details

Print voucher

Don't trust the photo booths? Get set for your Summer Holidays with J&A Cameras. We are offering £3 Off our Passport Office Approved Instore Passport Photo Service so come in and get it done properly!

Terms: Instant passport photos guaranteed to be correct with the passport office, or we will re-take them for free. No refunds will be given as an alternative.

Contact: 01271 447066

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

"I think Joe has now missed three out of his last four penalties, so I think it is about time someone else had a go. He was scoring goals for fun before but he isn't getting as many now and we need goals from him.

"As for Jules [Emati-Emati], he came in and did all right on Saturday, but you never quite know what you are going to get from him on the day.

"He is often very good when he comes on as a substitute but does not always play so well when he starts. He also needs to improve his goal ratio too because, for a striker, you have to say that it has been poor over the last couple of seasons. We do need to start scoring more goals because we are not getting enough and that is costing us."

Despite a relatively barren run in front of goal, Tivvy still boast the division's joint-second highest goalscorer in Bushin. He has chalked up 18 league strikes, as has Hungerford Town's Mark Draycott. Scott Wilson of Yate Town – whom Tivvy visit tonight – leads the way with 25 goals.

One player who could feature and help ease Tivvy's woes in front of goal is Michael Nardiello. The former Manchester United youngster has missed a number of games due to work commitments, but Saunders says he could be in line for a recall after leaving him out of the starting XI at Bridgwater.

"Nards did not start on Saturday purely because of the type of game it was," explained Saunders. "We knew it was not going to be the type of game where you knock it about on the deck but one where you have to be more direct, so we went with Jules and Bushin up front and Nards understood that perfectly.

"He may come in and play against Yate. He did fairly well against Cirencester, so he may well come in. He is going to be available for us more now because of work."

FA Carlsberg Vase semi-finals draw: Walsall Wood or Guernsey v Spennymoor Town, Tunbridge Wells v Shildon or Ascot United. (Ties to be played March 23 and 30).