St Ives Town manager Ricky Marheineke hopes new signing Jake Newman can solve the club’s chronic shortage of goals.

Saints have found the net only seven times in 14 league games while sliding down the Southern League Premier Division Central standings following a pleasing start to the campaign.

Marheineke’s men are one place and one point above the drop-zone after suffering six successive league defeats.

It’s an alarming run they will attempt to end when hosting Halesowen in a crucial clash at Westwood Road tomorrow, 3pm – and new recruit Newman will feature following his arrival from Peterborough Sports.

Marheineke said: “We need goals and Jake could be the man to help us get them.

“There is no pressure on him and we want him to settle in and enjoy his football, but we firmly believe the goals will come as that happens.”

Newman has scored five times so far this season for Sports in eight starting appearances. Three of those goals arrived from the penalty spot.

He is a prolific figure on the non-league scene after successful spells at clubs such as AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Spalding United, Stamford and Kempston Rovers in the past.

Newman is the third St Ives signing in the past 10 days. They have also brought in goalkeeper Martin Conway and defender Ben Jackson, both of whom made their debuts in a 2-0 defeat at King’s Lynn last Saturday.