Iron target new strikers

7:12am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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Braintree Town manager Lee Patterson has made bolstering his forward line his top priority this summer.

The Iron will be in the Blue Square South for the third successive season next year, following their 5-0 aggregate defeat in the play-off semi-finals at the hands of Eastbourne Borough.

Only five teams in the division scored fewer goals than Braintree this season, despite their impressive fifth-placed finish.

And Patterson wants to boost the club's fire-power in front of goal.

The Iron boss is looking to bring in at least two new strikers, as he looks to reshape his squad for another promotion challenge.

He said: "We need a natural centre-forward who will score 20 goals in a season.

"The difference against Eastbourne was them having a striker who can put away the chances.

"Over the two games I think we had some good chances.

"But they scored five goals and we didn't score any."

Patterson will meet with his existing players over the next ten days to discuss his plans for the future.

Up to half a dozen of the club's existing squad are set to leave.

Defender Russell Edwards has already departed Cressing Road, having decided to retire from playing football.

Patterson has targeted at least five new signings and has already been in negotiations with several potential new players.

He said: "We know that there will be some big budget teams in our league, like Havant and Waterlooville, Eastleigh and Chelmsford City.

"We'll have a healthy budget too but I have to make sure that we get value for money in the players we sign."

One player who will be staying is James Baker.

The striker has signed for the Iron for another year and Braintree are also interested in signing Richard Jolly from AFC Wimbledon.

For all of the latest Braintree Town news, see this week's Braintree and Witham Times.