Struggling Penrith are still targeting more firepower – having approached 34 strikers!

The Bonny Blues, second bottom in Northern League, Division One, will be desperately looking to pick up a valuable three points this afternoon when they host Ryhope Colliery Welfare (3pm kick-off).

Manager Jim Nichols has been on the look-out for a striker since the departure of last season’s record-breaking goalscorer Martyn Coleman, who linked-up with former Celtic Nation men Mark Boyd and Daniel Moore at Shildon 10 days ago.

“Since Martyn Coleman left, I have spoken to 34 centre forwards and not managed to get one over the line,” Nichols revealed.

“I have gone way over my phone bill for this month. We are struggling to get people out of the Westmorland League because they don’t want to travel.

“They want to play with their mates and be back through the door by about 5 or 6 o’clock.”

Penrith’s fortunes did not improve last Saturday as they were knocked out of the FA Vase by Northern League, Division Two leaders Tow Law Town, falling to a 5-1 defeat, despite another Jonny Murray goal.

“On Saturday, we were not good enough. I had to make a lot of changes for a variety of reasons,” Nichols said.

“There were some strong words in the dressing room. They [Tow Law] are a decent side. But we were really poor.”

Sunderland-based Ryhope finished 17th in the league last term, although have made a decent start to this season and are 10th.

“We probably played them at a good time last year,” said Nichols, whose side beat the Colliery Welfare 4-0 at Frenchfield Park in January.

“They started off like a steam train but they struggled a little bit after a few defeats.

“They seem to have signed some more Northern League, Division One players this season. It will be a tough test.”

Nichols, who admitted he had a long chat with assistant manager Shaun Gardner after last Saturday’s loss, has injury concerns over both his goalkeepers, Stuart Dixon and Cameron Copland.