New boss required after disappointing campaign

WALTHAM's last game of the season was at home to the impressive Hayling United, with the Bishops' injury-ravaged squad down to its bare bones.

Waltham were under pressure from the start, and had a lot to thank defenders Allen Miles and Darren Bartlett for. They soaked up all the pressure with some outstanding defending.

Hayling made a breakthrough on 35 minutes when their winger got in behind full-back Rob Head to hit a fine ball across the face of goal, and an onrushing striker applied the finishing touch.

The second half saw Waltham start brightly, Neil Channon going close twice as the visitors struggled to cope with his strength and pace.

In the end, the naivety of some of Waltham's less experienced players told - as did their fitness. Hayling gave them a torrid last ten minutes, scoring four goals in that time.

Hayling's passing game was a pleasure to watch as they showed how the beautiful game should be played.

Overall it was a poor season for Waltham, who have struggled especially since the turn of the year.

With twelve experienced Wessex League campaigners on their books at the start of the season, the Bishops had hopes of contending rather than battling against relegation. But the loss of Lee Johnson, Paul Clark, Peter Williams, Antony McShane and Lee Grist to injury and the departure of prolific scorer Craig Rickman to Locks Heath proved too much to cope with - along with the other players' commitment problems.

After 11 years as a manager of junior and senior teams at the club, long-suffering team boss Phil Bailey has decided to call it a day in the hope someone else can come in and boost the football side. That would allow the people behind the scenes, who put in a massive amount of work, to see some of the rewards that their hard work deserves .

Anyone interested in taking over the role of first team manager at Bishops Waltham Town is invited to contact club secretary Jim Bailey on 01489 894888.