Now Fenn sets his sights on the championship

07 May 2009

BARKINGSIDE boss Tony Fenn believes his side can win the league title next year after he saw them beat Burnham Ramblers 2-0 on Saturday to win the Essex Senior League Cup, writes Matt Diner.

The victory gave the Essex club their first trophy in eight years and the boss was glad that all the hard work had paid off.

"It means so much to the club to win this trophy," he smiled.

"It stabilizes the club and it has made all those tough times worthwhile and it has gelled us."

After an up and down campaign the win has certainly buoyed those at Oakside and Fenn believes the cup success bodes well for the future.

"I'll be back next year that is for sure and I am looking to challenge for the title," he said.

"I am confident we will keep most of the squad here and I believe most want to stay here.

"I don't know about Chris Lewis At the moment I would say it is 50/50 with him.

"If he wants to make the step up the ladder I can't stop him and I would never stop anyone moving forward."

Many had written Barkingside off before the final after they conceded 13 goals in their last three games, but strikes from Chris Lewis and Julian Ashby sealed the victory.

"The last couple of weeks have been very hard and to turn it round the way we have has been very pleasing," said Fenn.

"We battled well and won a lot of balls out there and it was like we turned the clock back three or four weeks. We went back to basics.

"We deserved the win and although we were not at our best in the first half we dismantled them in the second and it is really good to keep a clean sheet.