Pitchero Non League

....replacements lined up after prolific strike duo Drew Roberts and James Hatch left the club last week.

Roberts was a revelation for the Eagles last term and was the league’s leading goalscorer with thirty-four, while his partner Hatch netted fourteen times as they finished in the safety of tenth place in the Southern Premier.

Roberts played in Town’s opening summer friendly defeat to AFC Kempston Rovers but then turned out for county rivals Arlesey Town last week – where Hatch has also gone – the same day Bedford beat Spalding United 5-0.

Platnauer said: “They were responsible for the majority of our goals last season and we’ve got to fill that void.”

Now the Eagles chief is eyeing Nick Beasant, son of legendary FA Cup winning Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave, former Northampton Town hitman Courtney Herbert – who played for the Cobblers when they beat Liverpool in the League Cup at Anfield in 2010 – and Ivorian Claude Seanla.

With current forward Jermaine Ivy also in good pre-season form, Platnauer has no shortage of players to keep in mind.

He added: “Strikers are hard to pin down, as it’s where the money is, but we will get someone in.

“We’re also looking at other areas. Ollie Wilkinson has been impressive down the right hand side so far and we are also looking at Sol Davis.

“He racked up almost 200 appearances for Luton Town and has more recently been with Kettering Town so his experience would be vital.

“We’ll have to see if we can get a deal sorted though, as there will be plenty of other clubs sniffing around.”

With pre-season stepping up a notch in quality as they face Cambridge United and Corby Town at home this week, Platnauer seems content with their preparation thus far.

He said: “I’m pleased with how it has gone – we may have only won one so far but it was quite emphatic. We should have beaten Stotfold as we had chances to win, but we are definitely working towards where we want to be on August 18th when we kick our league campaign off at home to Leamington.”

Tags: News | Bedford Town

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