MALVERN Town boss Les Jones was left frustrated that hopes of a cup final were dashed last week but admitted that disappointment should not overshadow what has been a ‘great’ season.
The Hillsiders crashed out of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup last Thursday after suffering a 4-2 semi-final defeat to Bewdley Town at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium.
After ending their West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division campaign in fourth, Jones told the Observer he was frustrated for the players that they did not get the chance to play in a cup final.
“The players deserved to play in a final for all the effort they have put in this season,” he said.
“But on the day we did not deserve to win because we did not take our chances and we gave away silly goals.
“We were under strength too as we had so many injuries and before the game we even had one of them stuck on the motorway which added to our problems.
“However, we have to look at the season on a whole and it’s been great.
“We have qualified for the FA Cup once more and improved on our points tally from last season so there’s not much more I could ask for.”
The Hillsiders finished the league campaign on 79 points, one more than last year having played four games less.
Dave Reynolds ended as the club’s top scorer with 51 goals in 39 games and boss Jones heaped praise on his striker who had earlier in the season turned down a move to Northern Premier outfit Halesowen Town after they submitted a seven-day approach.
“To have scored more than 50 goals is not only a major achievement for Dave but for Malvern Town too,” he said.
“I’m absolutely delighted for him and Dave will be the first to admit we are a really attacking team and he’s benefited from that style of play.
“But we must also not let the work of the rest of the squad go unnoticed as they have set up a lot of those goals for Dave to get on the end of.”
With the season now over, Jones added that he will be looking at strengthening his squad to push on from a fourth placed finish as well as finalising pre-season friendlies.