Leese: 'More signings to come'

Mar 15 2012 By Yann Tear

Andy Leese

ANDY LEESE says he is still keen to bring in one more striker to bolster the promotion push – having been encouraged by what his newest recruit has brought to the party.

Former St Albans striker Inih Effiong, on loan from Conference South side Boreham Wood until the end of the season, hit a stunning debut hat-trick to give Chesham United a 3-0 victory over Banbury on Tuesday night.

All three were the excellent finishes of a natural goalscorer and the Generals boss believes the extra firepower could make all the difference in the final weeks of the season.

“That injection of goals at this stage of the season can make all the difference,” Leese said.

“We had something similar a couple of years ago and it can give us a big lift, especially with Leon Archer injured and maybe out for another two or three weeks. We couldn't hang around waiting. You've got to have the cover.

“We felt all season we'd been missing another forward option really. We like to have four strikers in the squad and have missed out on a few.

“But I haven't finished. We're looking at maybe another forward to back us up because although we're in a great position, I just feel we've been a bit goal shy this season and it would be good to have options.”

Speaking about his loan signing, Leese said he first made enquiries about Effiong at Christmas when he saw he wasn't getting many games at Boreham Wood, but had to wait for the 21-year-old's loan spell at Hitchin Town to end at the weekend before he could pounce.

“He's a powerful boy,” Leese said. “His goalscoring record in the Conference South last year was excellent – 14-15 goals in a struggling team at St Albans.

“He only got three goals at Hitchin, but I think players respond differently in different teams. If you create chances for him, he''ll finish, like he showed tonight.

“He's got a good future ahead of him and if he does more of what he did tonight, I'll be delighted. I told him before the game that I could do with a hat-trick from him. I didn't realise how prophetic that was.”