As was the case last year gave us a home encounter, this time round our opponents being Croydon. And to go with it last years fancy dress theme was repeated as was the three goal-winning margin.

This at the final reckoning cemented a twelfth place finish, which, but for the points deduction would have been tenth.

Disappointing given the achievements of last year and something, which I’m sure, will be improved upon next time round.

A similar team took to the field again in a 4-3-3 shape and despite an uninspiring opening ten minutes or so we gradually took full control of the match.

The opening goal came from Gary Puckett, continuing his recent goal-scoring run by latching on to an Adam Welch pass following an Aaron Cole Bolt free kick.

With the goal virtually ending any resistance from Croydon we enjoyed a relatively comfortable afternoon as we had time and space almost always. With the players able to express themselves and keep the ball without trouble the concerted pressure told when we were awarded a penalty for hand ball after twenty five minutes and with a number of the team wanting the opportunity to score it was Luke Fontana who stepped up to tuck home his first goal for the club.

Minutes later it could have been three. Luke Fontana springing the offside trap and rounding the goalkeeper who’s only way of stopping a goal was to handle outside the box. The statutory red card followed and the game became even easier. From the resulting free kick Cole-Bolt was denied and despite a number of other encouraging openings towards the end of the half our inability to score left us just two goals to the good at the break.

The second half did not offer as much as Croydon who continued to work hard played to ensure the score didn’t` get out of hand and to be fair because of our relaxed attitude they could have got themselves a goal.

We certainly had moments of encouragement but it did appear all round the pitch that there was a party mood and that the job had already been done. All three substitutes were used with one eye on Tuesday’s semi final and although that served to give players some last minute game time it failed to spark any life into a rather dull second period.

As thoughts turned more and more to the final whistle we were able to celebrate our final home goal of the year when fittingly Andrew Heath who was later to be voted supporters player of the year headed home a Cole Bolt corner.

Three nil it was and a happy end at least to what was a frustrating league programme.