Unbeaten run puts club into Combined Counties League play-offs

TADLEY Calleva joint manager Joe Lawler is looking to make more history this season.

Tadley’s 3-1 home win over Colliers Wood United on Monday means that they are guaranteed to finish in at least fifth place in the Combined Counties League Premier South – their highest-placed finish yet.

The victory meant they are also certain to feature in the end-of-season play-offs, with a semi-final showdown at either Jersey Bulls or Knaphill on Saturday, May 4.

Lawler, who manages the team with Ben Dillon, said: “At the start of the season the aim was to finish in the top 10 and, if possible, to make the play-offs.

“So we have exceeded our targets this year and to finish fourth would be the highest we have ever achieved.

“We are still in the cup as well, so whatever happens from now until the end of the season it has been a great year.”

The good news for Tadley is that they are running into form at just the right time.

Bad weather forced several postponements, leaving Tadley with a ridiculous programme of eight games in 16 days earlier this month.

Not surprisingly their form dipped, but a draw at Knaphill on April 9 kickstarted their season.

Lawler said: “A couple of weeks ago there were a few results that did not go our way, but we did not lose too many games and the draws kept us in the running.

“Now we have put together a run of six games unbeaten, winning our last four, so it is very positive.”

Tadley had to come from behind before seeing off a Colliers Wood side fighting for their lives in the division.

Lawler said: “Despite what the table says, they are a very good side.

“We lost to Alton at the start of April and a couple of days later Colliers Wood beat them 5-2, so we knew it was not going to be easy.

“But the boys reacted well to going behind and they were very impressive.”