Manor back in action against East Grinstead and only have four more games left

Eton Manor head coach Jamie Connors is pleased his team have a consistent run of fixtures coming up in National League Three South throughout April.

It has been a frustrating couple of months for most clubs in the division with various weekends passing without matches.

Manor have only played four times in February and March due to breaks for the Six Nations, but return to action with a home clash against East Grinstead on Saturday, before travelling to Westcombe Park on April 9.

Shelford visit the New Wilderness on April 16, before Connors’ men finish the campaign on the road at Hertford.

With four matches to come in quick succession, Manor are hoping to end their National League debut season with some strong performances, albeit against clubs in the top seven.

“It feels like we have hardly played at home over the last two months,” said Connors, who missed their 17-13 home defeat to Bracknell on March 5 because of illness.

“It seems like ages ago and it has been very stop-start of late, but we have four matches in a row and we’re all looking forward to that.

“We have two of them at home so we will enjoy it and then reflect at the end of the season and plan ahead for next year.”

Even though Manor struggled to handle life in the National League, their first-ever campaign at this level will always live long in the memory.

Connors’ side have lost all of their 22 matches to date and may well finish the season with an unwanted 100 per cent record.

He admits it is tough to compete with the top six in the division, but believes Colchester have shown it is possible to do well in the league after their promotion.

Manor were pipped to the London One North title by Colchester last season, but the two clubs have fared differently since.

The Essex side are ninth in the table having won 10 of their 22 matches this year.

“I think the top six have quite a bit of cash to throw around and can attract plenty of players so it is like having two different leagues,” added Connors.

“You look at somebody like Colchester and they have done all right. They managed to keep most of their players from last season and add a few.

“If we could have done similar I think we would have got a few wins, but to be in the top six you need to have money.”