FOOTBALL Development Director Jon Haile believes Almondsbury Town are well placed to mount a push for promotion from the Hellenic Premier Division next season.

Paul Weeks’ men finished fourth in the table after their 4-2 victory over Reading Town at Oaklands Park on the final day, making it 11 wins from their final 12 league games.

Haile said: “We just need to tighten up and improve at the back and not give away silly goals. We have some very young players in the back four and they are learning all of the time.”

“We have a very ambitious and committed Chairman and an excellent management team.

“Under Paul Weeks this club has finished fifth, runners-up on goal difference and fourth this season. The club will also be playing in its third cup final under Paul’s tenure so it hasn’t been a bad three years.”

That final is on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4 at Shrivenham FC, where Almondsbury will take on Carterton for the SBJ Insurance Brokers Challenge Cup (3pm).

The Almonds want to end the season high so that they can take that momentum in to their plans for the new season.

Haile said: “This squad of players will be staying together because they all want to win this league next season.

“If you look at North Leigh, Swindon Supermarine, Didcot and Bishops Cleeve they had a couple of seasons near the top with the same group of players before they finally went up.

“I think we have the best manager for the job and an excellent group of players.

“They are improving all the time and after a few weeks rest, everyone at the club will be planning next season’s campaign.”

All the goals in the win over Reading came during a hectic 20-minute opening spell.

Almondsbury opened the scoring after four minutes when Marcus Mapstone headed in a Brad Andrews cross.

Reading equalised when they took advantage of a mistake by defender Danny Haines to score, only for Kane Ingram to restore Almondsbury’s lead two minutes later from an Andrews free-kick.

Andews was again the provider with a corner for defender Lee Bridson to make it 3-1 with Adam Cole quickly creating the opening for Ingram to score his second.

Another Almondsbury defensive mistake gave Reading the chance to make it 4-2.