Kendal Town have the lowest players’ budget in the NPL West and manager Chris Humphrey used social media site LinkedIn to virtually recruit a new squad during the summer.
But Humphrey might have found a gem in Eric Yahaya, a 23-year-old forward who is the joint top scorer in the Division with six goals.
He scored his sixth goal from the penalty spot on Saturday in a 2-1 defeat at Mossley to join Ramsborttom’s James Murphy at the top of the sharp-shooters.
Humphrey explained: “Because we have no money to throw at players I contacted them on LinkedIn and invited them for trials. Any that I liked we signed afterwards.
“Eric was one of those and it goes without saying he has done well to be the joint top scorer in the League’s West section.”
Yahaya scored after 68 minutes to bring his side level after Kaine Dean had given Mossley the lead soon after half-time. But three minutes after they drew level Kendal were behind again to a goal from Harry Pratt.
Humphrey said: “Apart from the result I couldn’t be happier. They are just a young squad and the sheer desire, effort and commitment they showed was first class.
“They were all gutted in the dressing room afterwards that they had lost and there’s a great togetherness about them.
“They do need consistency, particularly in dealing with balls being regularly pumped into our box, but I’m sure that is going to come.”
Kendal have two tough games coming up as they go to Warrington Rylands on Tuesday with the hosts smarting from a 3-2 home defeat to City of Liverpool on Saturday and then host Clitheroe who have won all three away games so far.
