NATHAN JARMAN is determined to make an impact tonight when Chester entertain Southport at the Exacta Stadium (7.45pm).
The Blues striker admitted he had been disappointed about his team’s performance in Sunday’s 1-0 friendly defeat at AFC Fylde.
Jarman played all 90 minutes of the contest against reigning Division One North champions AFC Fylde managed by Chester-born Dave Challinor.
“People say that pre-season friendlies are not all about results and more about fitness, but everybody at Chester was disappointed about our performance at Fylde,” Jarman said.
“It was my first 90 minute game for Chester, but I’m not going to make any excuses for the performance because we just weren’t good enough in Sunday’s match.
“It’s not a problem if we’re creating chances in front of goal and missing them, but we’re not even creating any chances and I think we only put three crosses into the box all game and that’s not good enough.
“If we were putting 10 or 15 crosses into the box and getting shots on goal then fair enough, but we’re not doing that.
“It’s always good to get into good habits and if we are scoring in pre-season then hopefully I can take that form into the league season.”
Jarman, who netted 17 goals for Alfreton Town in the Conference Premier league last term, has also played for Corby Town, Worksop Town, Grimsby Town and Barnsley, as well as having a loan spell at Bury.
Jarman is keen to make his mark at Chester and boost his confidence by converting a few goalscoring opportunities against a Southport side managed by Liam Watson that finished seventh last season in the Conference Premier.
He added: “Tonight’s home match against Southport is another chance for the Chester lads to get to know one another because with all the friendly games coming up we’re not going to be able to get our three weekly training sessions in.
“People will want us to put on a show in front of a home crowd tonight, but the lads will always try as hard as they can anyway, so it doesn’t matter whether we’re at home or away.
“We have conceded one goal and failed to score in our opening two pre-season games against lower league opposition so nobody at Chester is happy, but we’re just going to have to pick things up.
“Winning breeds confidence in pre-season and so does scoring goals, so hopefully we can crack on now because the lads are getting fitter.
“I can understand the gaffer wanting to bring in another striker to fight for a starting place as well as Marc Williams, Adam Proudlock and myself.
“It’s always good if we are continually looking over our shoulder and getting competition for a shirt. But any team needs to score goals and our first league match at Oxford on August 18 can’t come quick enough.”
Blues boss Neil Young praised Jarman’s display against Fylde despite identifying his team’s lack of a cutting edge.
He said: “We haven’t had a goal threat in our two pre-season games so far and automatically people point to the forwards, but I don’t think anyone can question Nathan, particularly after his application in our game at AFC Fylde.
“Nathan was frustrated because he didn’t make the impact he would have liked, but he did well and I’ve told him that he needs to do that on a more consistent level.
“I also thought Dominic Collins was excellent at Fylde, and George Horan and Paul Linwood did really well, and Matty McGinn was solid.
“I’m not too worried about defence because we’ll always keep the back door shut, but we just have to be a bit more creative going forward.”