Axminster Town have drafted in one of non-league football's top strikers in a bid to halt their goal famine.

Former Yeovil Town front man Warren Patmore, who scored 140 goals for the Glovers, has agreed to lend his experience to Tigers' manager John Stunnell in a bid to turn round their fortunes at the foot of the South West Peninsular Premier East division.

Axminster have lost eight out of their ten league matches this season, scoring 25 goals, but 15 of them came from bottom side Stoke Gabriel who have so far shipped 164 goals in 13 games. That mans the Tigers have only found the back of the net ten times in nine games.

Stunnell's young side have faced a few weeks of very difficult fixtures and have shown some improvement but they have lacked confidence in front of goal.

The Axminster boss has turned to one of the most successful local managers in a bid to sharpen up his strikers.

Patmore has managed a number of south west clubs in recent years, including Taunton Town, Tiverton Town Reserves, Wellington, Morchard Bishop and Crediton United, enjoying much success along the way.

Josh Stunnell told Nub News Sport: "Warren is one of the most respected coaches in local football and it's great to have him on the touchline.

A different voice

"I just felt a different voice would help and some of the things he has brought to the table are really welcome. He's already introduced a couple new players to strengthen our squad – Issaac Furness and striker Dean Stamp.

"It shows how determined we are to get a few wins under our belt and to climb the table. I believe we have the talent and commitment to do just that."

The Tigers' home match tomorrow (Saturday) against Elburton due to a COVID-19 has been called off due to a scare among the players.

Elburton have taken 11 points from their 11 games and are sitting in 14th place in Premier East and this was a fixture that Stunnell would have been looking for three points to help lift the Tigers away from the relegation zone.

Next Wednesday's home clash with Bovey Tracey, in 16th place with just three wins out of 12, was another target for three points.

In their last game Axe lost 2-1 away to second-placed Torridgeside in a much improved performance, despite finishing the game with just nine men!

"I t was a much better performance, " said Stunnell. "Unfortunately, we pressed the destruct button. We had one player sent off on 30 minutes but went in at half time 1-0 up through a Dean Stamp goal and looking good.

"Another player was red carded on 60 minutes and Torridgeside scored both their goals from free kicks after we were down to nine men. It was a good performance but we went home with nothing."

The Axminster boss said the enforced break due to COVID-19 was possibly a good thing as it gave them the chance to regroup and possibly bring in a few fresh faces.