TAKELEY FC boss Steve Castle has set his sights on winning the title next season after his team missed out on promotion this time around.

The team’s clash with Bethnal Green United on Saturday was postponed because the away side were stuck in traffic and failed to turn up, but results from other games means the Station Road side can only finish in third place in the Essex Senior League. As some consolation, a win in their final game – the re-arranged fixture against Bethnal – would improve their points haul from last season.

It is the second year in a row Takeley have finished in third place, and Castle believes his team are now experienced enough to mount a serious title challenge.

Castle told the Broadcast: “I always like to see progress and I’ve seen enough of it this season. We had a great record until two weeks ago, when the fixture list caught up with us.

“We are moving in the right direction. There are good teams in this league and I’m sure they will all be saying the same, but if we firm up a few things and show a little bit more commitment there’s no reason why we can’t push ahead.”

Takeley have 67 points from 35 games, a tally made up of 21 wins, seven draws and seven defeats. The damage came following three defeats in their last four games – they had lost just three times in the previous 31.