BIRD EYES A WAY BACK IN

Tanners boss keeps perspective

- Matthew Nash

HAYDEN BIRD believes Leatherhead will come through today's showdown at Marlow - if they follow his lead and keep the play-off final in perspective.

The vastly experienced Non-League boss leads his side to the Alfred Davis Memorial Ground aiming to take the final step on their path to a return to the Isthmian Premier Division they occupied for so long after a two-year exile at Step 4.

However, the Tanners boss has mellowed in his years in the dugout and sees such crucial matches in a different context now, insisting he will not burden his squad with great expectation.

"I always say to people 'it's only football', you have to go and enjoy the occasion and make memories," said Bird, who has taken charge of over 1,600 competitive matches with the likes of Kingstonian and Merstham.