WE WILL NEED EVEN MOOR TO PROGRESS

SPENNYMOOR Town manager Jason Ainsley reckons his side face an even tougher challenge in next season’s National League North.

The Moors suffered heartache on the final day of last season when Adam Boyes’ late goal for Bradford Park Avenue edged them out of the play-off picture.

Still, an eighth placed finish in their first ever season at Step 2 was an impressive return for Ainsley and his side – but a strong line-up in the National League North awaits them again this term.

Guiseley and Chester were relegated from the National League and Altrincham, Ashton United and Hereford made the step up from Step 3.

And Ainsley warns his side will have to improve to flourish in what he called a “challenging environment”.

He said: “This time last year I looked at the fixture list and I wondered where our first win would even come.

“You do that, you think about facing Stockport County, York City and Salford City and you know it’s tough. No disrespect to the Evo-Stik League, which is a tough league, but there were fixtures you knew that you should win. Last season wasn’t like that in this league.

“This season it looks more challenging for everyone in the division. I think the teams coming into the league strengthen it but there are clubs already there that will improve.

“Clubs like Stockport, York City, Southport, they will all improve this season. You will have to earn every point and it will be a good challenge for us.”

Ainsley’s summer work is already well underway as he looks to strengthen his squad.

Talks are ongoing with a number of targets but the Moors boss is prepared to bide his time to get the right player in.

“I don’t think I have ever had so many meetings in Starbucks or Costa” he joked. “We have to take our recruitment a bit further because the teams we are competing against don’t have the travel.

“We have spoken to lads in Yorkshire and they seem keen but if a manager they know gets a job down there you would expect they’d join them.

“I have learnt a lesson from last season and I don’t want to rush into recruitment unless it’s the right player. You have players that want to play Football League, or they want to stay full-time, but I think Spennymoor are one of the best options around for part-time.

“You always wait for a hidden gem and there is an opportunity to bring someone in but it’s about quality rather than quantity.”