Ollie Pearce: The Goal Machine

Ollie Pearce put in an incredible performance in the National League South Playoff with a goal and two assists in the Step 2’s showpiece fixture.

However, in truth, the performance that the National Leagues South top marksman put on in front of the TNT Sport cameras is simply what he has been doing all season.

He has been phenomenal and recorded 40 goals and 13 assists in 44 National League South regular season games. Staggering. 

With the striker’s contract up this summer, it is highly unlikely that Pearce will sign a new contract with the club, especially now Worthing have failed to get promoted.

Albeit it is still early in the summer and the transfer window not yet open, it is still surprising that more clubs have not been linked to the striker, with only a slight rumour of Southend United being interested, however with the Shrimpers continued ownership troubles, transfer embargos and court adjournments,  Pearce might find the Southend prospect uninspiring. 

Here Semi-Professional look at four clubs that would be a good fit for Ollie Pearce this summer: 

Oldham Athletic

It’s time for Oldham to make a statement of intent to get out of the National League and back into the Football League. Frank Rothwell is fairly well liked at Boundary Park and he is clearly an incredible and charitable man. However, this is more about on field success and The Latics performance over the last couple of seasons has not been good enough. Failure to finish in the top 7 was a very poor return and Oldham must improve next season. 

Therefore what better place to start than poaching such a prolific and dynamic forward as Pearce. He will give The Latics almost guaranteed goals and bring some much needed excitement back to Boundary Park. With many clubs with large budgets no longer in the National League. It is time for Oldham to flex their muscles. 

Notts County

The Magpies have a track record of poaching incredible strikers from Step 2. The partnership between Cedwyn Scott and Macaulay Langstaff was borderline unstoppable in the National League and Langstaff continued this form in the EFL, becoming the League 2 top scorer at the first time of asking. 

I find it hard to believe that come the end of the transfer window Langstaff will still be a Notts player. It is true that he is under contract, but the striker is going to attract a host of clubs and it would be hard to turn down. 

Therefore, what better way to replace him than with the master marksman that is Ollie Pearce. The magpies attack is prolific and they create a multitude of chances each game and Pearce has shown he can take them. It would be a match made in heaven and mean the money that they will receive for Langstaff can be spent in defensive areas. 

Salford City

This one may seem a little bit far-fetched, after all Salford may not be seen as a very attractive option, especially with the consensus that the ownership team is cutting back there. However from a purely football point of view, it is a great fit. Pearce will no doubt be looking for as big a step up as possible and Salford are now on the lookout for a striker, following the loss of veteran Matt Smith. 

The Ammies are going through a period of stagnation and this may be a chance to light a spark that fires them back into life. I think this is the least likely of the options listed, but if Salford act quickly this is a deal that could happen. 

Southend United

As previously stated, the situation at Southend isn’t great and hasn’t been for some time despite continued promises from departing owner Ron Martin that the sale will go through soon. The club have been placed into a transfer embargo and the off field issues just seem to never go away. However, they are still a massive club and on the pitch have performed brilliantly in difficult circumstances. They battled a points deduction last term to come within touching distance of the playoffs. Kevin Maher is a simply brilliant manager who will be great for Pearce and if the takeover is completed it could be an amazing first signing for the consortium. 

If the off field issues can get sorted and The Shrimpers can sign a player like Ollie Pearce, it is entirely possible that they will be one of the favourites to win the National League next season. 

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