SALISBURY FC manager Steve Claridge was able to enjoy a game without any pressure last Saturday, as his side closed out their superb promotion winning season with a victory.

The Whites came out on top 3-2 against home side Bristol Manor Farm, a team who had for so long been chasing them hard at the top.

In the end even if they won on Saturday, Manor Farm still would have missed out on the play-offs, but they did not know that when the game kicked.

For the Whites a third straight win to finish the campaign saw them finish second seven points clear of Wimborne and 19 behind runaway champions Taunton.

Claridge said: "We were so relaxed on Saturday and really played some nice football. Even when we went behind we did not panic we just came back quickly.

"For me Chris Shephard was true quality and it was a real shame he missed the whole season."

Next season Salisbury will be in the Southern Premier and manager is looking forward to it and said : "We are looking to keep a good nucleus of this team, as I think a lot them will be good enough to play at the next level and also deserve the chance to play there having won us promotion.

He added: "Our main aim next year is not to get relegated. I think we should finish in the top half, but as yet we don't know who will be in the league as there is a lot of reorganising at this level.

"I think first have a look around and see what is going on and then plan from there. We will see what happens, but when you think where we were three years ago with no players I think we can all be proud of what we have achieved in such a short time."