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Lenchy wouldn’t have been happy being a squad player, that’s for sure. It’s not only that, but he would’ve been an expensive player for the bench. Lenchy and I are still good friends, but like I said last night, I just felt as though Leon would’ve been the one to make way for him in that midfield which I didn’t believe was the right thing to do! Leon is now attracting attention from some big clubs in the EFL so the decision I made, whether it was applauded or hated, has proven to be the right one at that moment in time. Regarding ‘10th highest’, I honestly don’t know where that has come from! I just had to double check that I was the only person that didn’t hear it! That definitely wasn’t said! I think Ash’s message, along with mine, is that ‘if’ I can get our recruitment correct with the budget we have then we can achieve a top half finish and over achieve. You only have to look at the cost of Leon, David and Slavi to see that there are some exceptionally good players who don’t cost stupid amounts of money. The issue with that is that they won’t always work as well as those 3 have! Its down to me now to try and get that correct! As you’ve now heard, I was offered the opportunity to go and work with two bigger budgets in this league and turned it down as I have no affiliation with those clubs. The work Ash and the board are doing is absolutely brilliant and I want to be a part of that. It’s not an overnight fix, it’s a slightly longer term plan which I’ve certainly got the patience for and I hope you guys have too! Thanks to those that came along. Really enjoyable evening.

Announced for 25/26 yesterday by Josh as Henry Ochieng. Great player and seems like a leader in a similar vain to Josh. Not the most vocal on the pitch but certainly is a top end performer. Another good addition to the squad for next year so nothing but positives behind that one.

Wasn't sure whether to post this on the Worthing thread, or this one, but this seems as good a place as any. First of all, massive (genuinely massive) congratulations to Gav, the management team, the players and the board for the turnaround since the start of February - it's been nothing short of remarkable. Our form since then has probably been upper mid table, if not pushing for the play-offs! I'll readily admit that I said that we were down, and had given up hope after the late equaliser that we conceded against Weymouth, which I had down as a must win game. The fact that the management and the team clearly hadn't given up, and were willing to scrap in every game shows enormous charachter, and to pull ourselves out of the position we were in is so much more of an achievement than winning promotion last season (as others have said). I think it's possible to distil all this down into that one performance at home to Truro as a perfect example - a goal down to the eventual league winners after 90 minutes, and we came away with 3 points (just gutted I wasn't there to celebrate). Talking about where we go from here, I don't think we need wholesale changes - as I've said already, our form after January has been good enough, and we've had a largely settled side, with some additional quality added (including loanees), so I think we aren't far away from being able to hold our own at this level. Clearly there are positions we need to strengthen - if you look at the list of goalscorers, that's pretty obvious (although easy to identify, probably a lot harder to fix). But if we can retain the players we want to retain from this season, and add a few who are good enough at this level to improve us, given that we are a lot more prepared 12 months later, and know better what to expect from this level, we'll hopefully go into 25/26 with a more settled side made up mostly of the players who dug us out of the hole we were in from the first part of the season. I'm not so keen to call out individual players on here, but I think post season is a good time to do so - the experience and nous of Thompson made him a massive signing, and I think all 3 CBs deserve a lot of credit, none of them look out of place at this level, and I hope we retain them for next year. Peake is an exciting player, who can and does make things happen - his injury came at a bad time for us, and he probably didn't quite get back to his best form after that, but an important player for us. Leonard as well was a player who grew on me over the season - given that he started as an attacking wide player, his defensive work has come on massively, and he seems well suited to wing-back, with plenty of energy to get up and down, and affect play in our attacking third too. Parcell and Brown in CM as well made a huge difference, neither of them are necessarily 'pretty' footballers, but they're effective and exactly what you need in a relegation scrap. Parcell got my vote for player of the season, but there were a few not far behind him. Bates as well made a difference, with his ability on the ball, energy and possibly most importantly, his set piece delivery - I remember the first game I saw him, we looked like scoring from each of our first 5 corners, and in a side where goals are at a premium, that's so important to have. Lastly, obviously Youngs deserves massive credit - I still don't know exactly where best to play him, but whilst he's fit enough, he obviously has to play - having a goal record like that from midfield in a struggling side is so impressive, and he, as much as anyone, dragged us out of the bottom 4 with his goals. So, what can we expect from next season? I personally think we'll again be one of the more favoured teams to go down, but maybe less so than last season. The second season after promotion can prove to be tricky (just ask Aveley), however we do go into next season with our eyes open, and a better understanding of what's needed at this level, and hopefully at least some of the players to help us execute. As much as I'd love for us to play expansive, passing football with two up front, I think we need to accept that Gavin and the management have concluded that we're most likely to pick up points by scrapping and disrupting, being good at set pieces, and being hard to break down - and based on the last 3 months, it's hard to argue with that (and I'm fully onboard). So I think next season will be more of the same, starting in August, and hopefully with a few extra players of the required standard, and ideally at least one other reliable source of goals. I don't think any of our forwards are bad, and a lot of them put in a shift, and make runs/create space to allow the likes of Youngs to get the ball in positions to score, but it would be a lot less worrying if we had a forward who could score 12 or 15 goals a season as well as put in the hard yards (a young Scott McGleish would be lovely). I think we'll continue to struggle against the top sides, as those 6 or 7 full time pro sides proved to me that they're the best sides in the league, and the table doesn't lie in that respect - I wasn't at the Truro or Dorking games where we picked up points, but I saw enough of the other sides up there to know that we're not going to get many points against them. Worthing on Saturday was a prime example of this - they had 11 players on the pitch who were better man for man than our 11 players, and they were all supremely comfortable on the ball - you have to just hold your hands up and applaud their passing and movement, and 1-5 didn't flatter them (Mo's 2nd wasn't bad either). We ended up looking a bit leggy in the last 3 games (probably after all the efforts that came before), and it's maybe a good thing that the season ended there. What I really hope for is that the fans are onboard with how we play, are more realistic about where we're likely/expected to finish and continue to back Gav and the team through thick and thin. I know a lot of people were questioning him at times this season, and I'm sure he'll be the first to admit that he got it wrong, and we were underprepared early on, but to turn that around tells me that he has the players backing, knows what he wants to do, and has a plan of how to do it. We should respect that, as there will be times next season when results aren't good, where we are on a poor run, where players aren't in form, and we should be backing them to the hilt at that point (with the knowledge of what happened this season as a reminder), and being that 12th man to help get us over the line. I'm also looking forward to the summer, and a break from all this - it's been a stressful season as a Town fan, and I've definitely never had as many sleepless nights worrying about football in the club's existence as this. A couple of months off for a complete reset will probably do me as much good as I'm sure it will the players and management, but before I sign off, a final 'well done' to everyone involved! 👍

Was never expecting anything from the game yesterday....yes the first half wasn't bad but quality rises to the top and their play at times had us chasing shadows. Yesterday wasn't like a Cup game.....unfortunately I missed our game v Truro however they must deservedly be champions with them being where they are, long journeys and apparently only have specific times when they can train....says a lot about our league that the likes of BW, Worthing, Eastbourne and Dorking will have to battle it out to go up via the playoffs. Form and experience count for everything. I said before yesterday that we'd probably done enough and the final day would be taken out of hands. Points are always more important than games ahead and that run between the New Year and April just saw us through and also says a lot that neither of the teams beneath us could get the result they needed yesterday. I said at the start of the season that finishing one place above relegation would be a massive achievement and that it certainly has. I think the arrival of Thompson, Hawkins, Brown and Bates have been huge in our survival. Sidwell has been overmatched but you can't knock his levels of effort and application. I think that Billy has really made progress this year, good in the air, very tricky on the ground and put in many a great cross as well as a few goals. All the time matched up with doubling up as a right back so he certainly deserves a summer break. Really pleased that Cian got a goal yesterday as his work rate and rattling defences has showed he deserved his starts recently. I'll happily have Sam if he's not good enough for the top 6 😂 😂 😂 Much like last season, really well done to Gavin and everyone who's played their part in the team's performances to stay in the division. We are in a stronger position than last season and now know what to expect moving forwards. I'm super happy we didn't get rid of Gavin midway....yes we haven't played the best football but we've played some great stuff at times and sometimes we just have to admit we are playing against stronger, more experienced and organised teams. Hopefully we can add a few players to strengthen the squad and I'll be keen to see if we can find the next speedy forward to add to our front line next season. Well done everyone !!!!

Don’t really want to say I told you but but erm I told you so 😊 Congratulations on a remarkable second half of this season and see you next season.

Now that we're mathematically safe, it seems like a good time to think about who we'll be playing next season and who (if anyone) from NLS will be moved up north. Going down from NLP look likely to be: Ebbsfleet United (confirmed) AFC Fylde (almost certainly) Maidenhead United Dagenham & Redbridge It's still possible for Wealdstone or Boston United to go down if they're caught by Maidenhead or Dagenham, although at the moment this looks unlikely. Going down from NLS: Aveley Weymouth Welling United (almost certainly) 1 from St Albans, Salisbury or Enfield Town (unlikely) Coming up from step 3: From Isthmian: Dartford, Billericay Town or Horsham (as Champions), see also Dover Athletic or Cray Valley Paper Mills via play-offs. All should go into the South. From Southern Premier South: Merthyr Town or AFC Totton (as Champions), see also Walton & Hersham, Gloucester City, Dorchester Town or Havant & Waterlooville via play-offs. Most should go into the South, though Gloucester have been in the North in the past. From Southern Premier Central: Bedford Town, Kettering Town, AFC Telford or Halesowen (as Champions), see also Stamford, Stratford Town, Harborough Town or Spalding United via play-offs. All should go into the North. I'd say it's looking likely that we'll be reunited with our old 60's rivals Maidenhead and also with Dagenham & Redbridge. There are several southern based sides destined for Step 2, so with St Albans now looking more likely than not to go down and with only 1 northern side going down from NLP (2 should Boston United go down) could we potentially see Hemel Hempstead or Chesham being moved north?

Hi everyone. Few things… Brian was carrying a knock at half time. He didn’t play Friday. Nnamaeka sadly played the last 10 minutes on Friday and got injured. He was meant to start for us Saturday which was a massive shame. Balu is very much part of our plans moving forward. He pulled his thigh in training a couple of weeks ago. He would’ve played by now, he’s very good. The post with Jammers was a tad premature. We want to do an announcement where we notify everyone of the situation. Retained, offered deal to, leaving club.

Nothing end of season game. Your fans constant abuse of a player who left you for no reason is just unnecessary We'll still finish above you regardless of the result

Is it just me, or does it feel like a Sunday today ? Good Friday for me had a touch of the "Good Old Days". It's been a long time since I got up early on a Good Friday morning to go to Slough Town F.C. to watch the Slough Town Challenge Cup Final. I was very pleased that this game had returned to its rightful home. When I got to Arbour Park, the Lynch Hill car park where I usually park was out of bounds, so I parked in St. Joe's. Making my way to the only turnstile open at the north-west corner of the ground, I hoped that there might be at least a single sheet "programme" available to buy for the match. There wasn't anything for the Berks and Bucks Final held at Arbour Park not long previously. Very pleasingly ,after getting through the turnstile, not only was there a eight page programme available for the match, but it was given out FREE ! What a nice surprise. I took my place in the main stand, and as the teams lined up it was A.C. Milan versus Inter Milan. Well, Old Windsor wore red and black striped shirts and FC Beaconsfield wore blue and black striped shirts. A very entertaining first half ensued. It had more or less everything. There was a scissor /overhead kick by Old Windsor which hit the post. A 30 yard shot from FC Beaconsfield which seemed from my viewpoint to be going 30 yards wide of the post. I think the Old Windsor goalkeeper thought this too, as he didn't move. The shot smacked against the post. Then a fantastic "Slavi " like dribble near the by-line by an Old Windsor forward who beat three men and then was clumsily brought down in the area for a penalty. This was taken by the Old Windsor number 9, who definitely had the aura that he fancied himself. To be fair to him though, he scored the pen and then scored another in the second half. Later that half, a nice piece of play by the Old Windsor number 10 saw him weave inside the area and place a shot just inside the left hand post to make it 2-0. Ten minutes from half time we even had the referee pull up injured , and needed to be replaced by one of the linesman. This in turn meant that the 4th official would now have to run the line. If anyone else has watched the TV programme "Clarkson's Farm", where Jeremy Clarkson from "Top Gear" attempts to run a farm, the 4th official for me was a dead ringer for "Gerald". Except this new linesman was shorter and podgier than Gerald. What made it worse was that he was wearing the shortest pair of shorts I've seen since Glenn Hoddle wore his short shorts back in the eighties. Really put me off my Easter Egg. Thankfully at half time this unappealing sight was corrected. He now wore a pair of "shorts" that reached half way down his shins, but at least this was an improvement. After half time Beaconsfield pulled a goal back, which I felt would make for a very interesting second half, but Old Windsor scored again soon after to make the score 3-1, which more or less killed the game off. They added a fourth before the end to make it 4-1, but it was I thought a very entertaining game. Later, the main event of the day began, Slough Town v Boreham Wood. When the team and subs for the game were announced, it was clear that there were a lot of youngsters not only on the bench but also in our starting 11. I wasn't expecting to get a win against B Wood anyway, especially knowing that they would be desperate to get the 3 points to help them in their promotion bid. I was pleased to see the youngsters given their chance, but I thought it was going to be a very hard game for them to be able to shine. Boreham Wood took the field in what I thought was a horrible kit. Bright pink shirts and socks. Sorry, but for me that is not a football kit colour. Neither is charcoal or dark grey/black which so many bigger teams (like Arsenal away v Real Madrid last week) seem to wear nowadays. The only dark/black kit that was ever any good was the black kit that Man Utd wore in the 90's. That was a classic. No dark coloured kit has ever been as good as that one. Bad as though bright pink is, it doesn't come close to the very worse kit ever designed. Light and dark blue quarters. Enough said. Boreham Wood for me are a "phoney" club. They have done up their ground over the years, been regulars in the National League, but still, even after all this, get home crowds which could never have sustained this level of progression , and only survive at the level they are at because of outside financial assistance. Like Torquay, whose attitude is even so much worse (but at least get much bigger attendances), they seem to me to think that they "belong " in the National League. This mentality probably explains the bunch of Wood youngsters who felt the need to stand alongside the Slough supporters behind the goal during both the first and second half. Perhaps I saw it wrong from my viewpoint on the side line, but these kids were only interested it seemed to me in trying to provoke the Slough fans into a reaction, when they no doubt would all then have run away. So unnecessary and not wanted at non-league level. If Slough had a group of youngsters behaving that way at away grounds, I like to think that our club would soon put a stop to this type of behaviour from their "fans". I seem to remember even back in the 90's when we played them in a Trophy replay at their place Boreham Wood had an "unpleasant" element among their support, so things haven't changed there. The Boreham Wood team were a very physically strong, organised unit, and losing to them 4-2 was no disgrace, though I was a bit concerned when it went to 2-0 fairly early on. A great goal by Johnny, but that penalty miss can't help but make you wonder what might have happened if it had gone in. Two games left, and from what Scott said in his interview after the match I guess we will be seeing a lot more of these youngsters playing in them. What a great opportunity for them. Again, after what Scott said, and what Ollie said in his pen pic that was in the match programme months ago when it was his turn to answer questions put to him, is Ollie off to study in the US from the summer, so he won't be with us next season ? That's what it sounds like to me. Disappointing if true. Two games left for us this season. It's been long season. I hope that Boreham Wood and Torquay don't get promoted ,as I would enjoy them having to "slum" it for another season at least in the National League South, but then again I wonder if it might be good just to get shot of them and think "good riddance". If they do go up, will we be swapping them for possibly Ebbsfleet and Dagenham & R, who may have the same "arrogant" approach to being in the Nat South.? Anyway, let's all hope Maidenhead lose on Monday. That's a nice thought to end on.

I noticed this also whilst shopping, but needs to be advertised to the wider public.

Spurs fan or not I'm very grateful for his excellent commentary which is normally very fair and not extremely biased like some I've heard provided by other clubs.

Good post NBT, I agree. I remember sitting on the coach after conceding the gut-wrenching, injury-time equaliser at Weymouth thinking that was it, we were done and dusted. The whole team have done superbly since then to put us in with more than a decent chance of staying up. We may not get anything out of the Worthing game but I can't see St. Albans getting the win that they need at Truro - not with the title on the line. Anyway, que sera, sera ......

The rain helped today, otherwise we'd have seen a very poor game on a dusty bumpy pitch. Have to agree the ground is in serious need of a facelift and looks to have had nothing done on it for years. That plus extra seating, decent toilets and bar and hospitality facilities are desperately needed imo. Note Spencer's comments on the Hampton pitch btw. That said, nice to see Chesham at our level again. Decent crowd of 1000+ (circa 300/350 from Slough) created a decent atmosphere.

Positions 8-20 also mean nothing so I wouldn’t gloat! Apparently Minhas gave his word he’d re-sign for us, so that alone tells you his character. Don’t worry if he gets a better offer he’ll leave you to no matter what he promised.

I'll be in here to keep you updated.

Whenever I’ve seen us play them we don’t often do very well! Plus we’re away and we’ll be including a few EDS boys unfortunately I can’t see us winning. Please don’t let that Minhas score though!

I doubt it, but stranger things have happened. We saw Truro completely bottle it at our place last month. If Truro need to win at all costs, then that might present St Albans with an opportunity.

I think we should come up with a gentleman’s agreement with Hampton to knock the ball around for 89 minutes and then let jackman score in the 90th minute.

I too thought we gave a good account of ourselves, except for the first 15 minutes where they rang rings around us and I thought it could turn into a cricket score. If only we showed more composure for those 15 minutes and had some teeth up front we might have got a result! If he was any good he'd have walked into our team this season; whatever he showed last year to persuade Rochdale to take a punt on him, he clearly didn't justify it at Rochdale nor for us IMO.

I think there's got be a balance between ground improvements and a budget that's sufficient to recruit enough decent players to keep the club in the NLS and hopefully higher up the table. I suppose you could say it was job done for this season but it was mighty close with only 3 games to go. Hopefully Scott will get an improved budget for next season because it doesn't look like it will get any easier.

Josh Jackman. The type of bloke you'd want as a son-in-law. Says it all really.

I think he'd have probably been better off having a word with his keeper who gifted us both goals (but was a great laugh with us fans behind the goal about it) Our pitch got ruined by two things 1) us playing Hemel on New Year's Day when it was barely playable - it never recovered and 2) we've found that we've got some issues with the drainage system that will be rectified in the summer that haven't helped The drainage works and some other ground works we've had done have basically spent our cup run money it sounds like from our Chairmans Notes, and I know that we never budget for a cup run in our playing budget (we had a Chairman do that years ago and it nearly killed us)

Gritty, battling performance yesterday. I thought we shaded the first half and were unlucky to go in a goal behind. We certainly had the better of the chances and just needed the ball to run for us. Which is exactly what we got in the second half. Bailey Brown is a fascinating player to watch. Gait like a giraffe but superb at winning, then shielding the ball in midfield. Sometimes after winning possession he looks to play too difficult a pass when a simpler ball may be a better option, but he was excellent once again yesterday. His equalising goal early in the second half was expertly taken and put us straight back on the front foot. Fairly even once 1-1 but we have started to be more clinical with the attacking chances we make over the last 10 or so matches and Bates, when played through on goal, finished excellently. Yes his shot went through the keeper’s legs and might have been saved in another game, but I thought the Chelmsford GK had had more than his fair share of luck in the first half, so can’t complain. A nervy 10 minutes plus 6 minutes of injury time but in truth Chelmsford did little more than lump in some high balls which Joe Wright dealt with comfortably. Huge away support once again, 200-300 I would say. Superb and really does make a difference. Now we need to finish the job by beating St. Albans in what should be a humdinger on Good Friday.

I think we will be playing each other next season - great win

Massive performance and massive 3 points. Loads of energy, chasing lost causes, total commitment from every player. Can't ask for more.

I don't say this often 😂 but I hope you win today. Torquay supporters had a real misplaced arrogance last week when we beat them, as if we should have just let them win because we have nothing to play for and they are going for a title.

Actually, I thought both sides were quite decent in the first half. Second half was beyond dire. Still, Hornchurch now have the perfect symmetrical record..W14...D14...L14...F51...A51.

It isn't mathematically certain , but nobody I'm sure seriously believes now that we will go down. This I hope will give Scott the chance to give a few fringe players a longer playing time opportunity to show what they can do. I'd like to see Ollie Spicer given a chance to start a match. When I saw him play in that U19 final match v Maidstone I hoped he'd have a eye-catching performance, but sadly I don't think he did. Every time though he's come on as a sub for the first team I feel his first thought is always to go forward and attack with the ball, so I definitely would like to see how he'd get on given a start. Also that new lad who came on yesterday, Sean Duodo. He looked very raw, but he seemed very direct and powerful. I was very surprised he challenged the goalkeeper to that high ball with his head. I thought it was the 'keepers ball all day long but it was very brave and determined of Sean to even attempt to win the ball like that. I also thought the 'keeper took his chance to get what he thought was payback for this challenge when he intentionally smashed into Sean at the side of the area in what was a similar situation shortly after. I thought Sean was definitely worth another look.

You keep posting, Albury ☺️. Nothing wrong with friendly (?!) banter between local rivals. I think you'll find most of us on here miss the local derbies against Cheshunt, Haringey, Potters Bar, Wingate etc. In fact, Cheshunt (and Bishop's Stortford) are good examples of the downside of promotion to National League South (or North, in BS's case) and not managing to survive the first season. You both finished 15th this season - pretty disappointing? Promotion set you guys back by a couple of seasons. Now our yardstick needs to be Aveley. Can we survive a second season?!

Now that we are safe for another season (not that it was in doubt), who do you think are being relegated along with Aveley and Weymouth. Realistically it’s two from four: Welling,( probably) St.Albans, Enfield Town or Salisbury. I hope the boys from Donkey Lane survive, only because I love that name

No just get the posh chairs out of the shed.

Will we have to extend the dugouts?

Haaaaaaassss anyone seen Audrey 🤣 Could we be Nat League North next season? Or Hemel move to North?

All above is true, we had a sticky period with a lot of difficult away games. I think it’s a remarkable achievement for the club to be honest. Going into a much more competitive league with clubs with the buying power of Torquay, Maidstone and Borehamwood and to end up with a mid table position I think is a testament to the board, players and management of the football club - also bearing in mind we swapped managers towards the tail end of last season - think we were fortunate that Daryl was available to us. I think it’s going to be a critical time before next season, we saw what happened to Aveley, play offs last season , relegated this season - it’s not an easy league. The ambition (and the issues we face as a club) were all explained in the recent club meeting I was encouraged by that.

I know there’s no room for romanticism in football but I kinda hoped slavi would have given the penalty to Josh.

Massive respect to Gavin and the team. In the dark days of winter when we looked dead and buried he kept believing and becomes a Town legend after just two incredible seasons. No play off and European distractions this year so hopefully time to put together and side with more goals in it. COYT.

I think we probably deserve another season at Step 2, but being a natural pessimist, I'm trying to look at the positives if we do fall just short on Saturday: We will have a shiny new stand; Hopefully we've made a few £ from the bumper crowds at our last two home games; On paper, St Albans have a better squad than us - with the likes of Jeffers who has scored the most goals ever in NLS; If St Albans stay up they are at serious risk of being moved to National League North next season; We've had some great moments to add to the archive: Lewis Taaffe's goal Vs Torquay, claiming a point at Dorking, beating Truro... We've shown (eventually) that we can hold our own at Step 2 - it isn't a pipe dream

Have to say it was a very useful and informative meeting with Scott and Ash.

...2014. Away against Cray Wanderers. 10 minutes in, Town are 1-0 down and heading back down to the Isthmian North Division. Fortunately Lockie and Doyle came to the rescue that day and we survived in the Isthmian Prem by the skin of our teeth. I'd much rather be playing Cray than Worthing on Saturday, but a 2-1 would be lovely!

Just seen that Bracknell have released manager (of only a few weeks) Bobby Wilkinson after their 5-1 home defeat yesterday, which leaves them in a dodgy position just above the relegation zone.

Wondered when Audrey would turn up. Lol

Very pleased with that result and more importantly the performance with 2 18 year old starting again. Thought Pruti and Roth were excellent at the back today along with the normal Josh performance. The young lad at the back Aaron White looked like a good prospect as well. Ogbonna looked dangerous and what a fantastic goal to win the game. More positive steps forward for the future with the young lads playing and coming on and though Ben Nelson also looked solid in midfield and shame about his injury. As for the Slough reserves, still looking at them and wouldn't swap any of them back into the squad. Lench and Abisogan are not Step 2 quality. At least Joe Grant and Minhas are of the level but wouldn't bring them in. Also, not often I agree with Spencer, but the Chesham pitch was diabolical at best (the overall ground also needs some serious money spent on it).

Only a week left of the season and it's all a bit quiet on here now that we don't have anything to moan about. The team's playing well and Gavin's recruitment and tactics are finally paying off. The next week's games decide the season, but they don't define it. What are your highlights and lowlights of our first season in National League South? Best game? Worst game? Best away trip? Best away food? Favourite player? For me best game: No doubt, 3 - 2 v. Truro City. Great spirited performance till the end, v. 2nd place, well timed subs, great fight back, well taken goals. What more can you ask? Best away game? Bath away was enjoyable and it felt great to play in a proper historic stadium (even if it was a rugby stadium and I never made it to Torquay). We deserved the 1-0 win and I thought we'd turned things around with Mensah at the back but alas; false dawn. Chesham 3 - 1 away was a solid victory but my favourite was probably 1-1 v. Dorking. A great fight back against a decent team, in the rain, fans boxed in, determined performance and a glimmer of hope. Worst game: Hampton & Richmond away. Lots of promise from a new strike force of Ottoway and Hutchinson and promising Mensah at the back. But utter capitulation, dodgy tactics, and what's worse, £7.50 for poorly poured Guinness in the bar! I wouldn't have shed a tear if they'd have got relegated for that fact alone. Favourite player for me is hard, Gavin seems to get a greater returns than the sum of the parts. For me the season started turning around when Adam Thompson joined. Steadied the back and we didn't look like we'd capitulate every time the wind blew the ball down our end. Special mention for Rhys in goal, many of our early points were down to him and unlucky to be out of the side. Still plenty to play for in the week ahead but a talking point if nothing else.

I doubt Wycombe will be too happy about us promptly dropping their loanees now that we're safe. This could jeopardise future loan arrangements; you never know when these will be needed and we don't have enough of these relationships with the local professional clubs as it is.

Slavi has stated that he's turned down offers this season to stay loyal so it wouldn't be a big surprise if he takes up another offer. Although likely it's not a given but also not a disaster as 13 league goals in 40 odd games is not exactly pulling up trees and should be replaceable. Of the others it's any ones guess.

Just listened to Scott's interview and there's no doubt in my mind that two of the players he's talking about leaving are Francis Amartey and Ody Alfa. Of the other players missing from today as far as we know Bayliss, Spasov, Prosper and Micchio are injured/sick and presumably Goddard wasn't allowed to play.

I believe we have plans underway to add additional seating but obviously not in place yet. I believe we need another 220 odd seats to ever enter the play offs at this level (a National League rule rather than a ground grading requirement I believe) - I just hope we don't take the easy option and convert part of the metal terrace at the Cricket Club end to seats like other clubs have done and ruin a perfectly good terrace. The largest shareholder and Chairman have had plans for a number of years to move grounds but nothing has materialised yet and will likely prove very difficult to find flat land of a sufficient size in Chesham that isn't on the greenbelt or AONB

So on that basis did it make sense for us to prioritize ground improvements over the playing budget which has seen us a whisker away from a proper relegation battle?

How about we just stay up on merit.