SO MUCH TO GIVE & TAKE!

Takeley seize the moment

- By John Lyons

POSITIVE Takeley boss Kieran Amos reckons his side must try to get on the front foot when they kick off life at Step 4 for the first time.

Joint-bosses Amos and Alex Martin led Takeley to second place in the Essex Senior League last term and they then defeated both Barking in the semifinal and Woodford Town in the final 2-0 to earn a place in Isthmian North next season.

It means they will come up against some traditionally bigger outfits but Amos says no-one should be daunted by the prospect.

"As a club and group of players we are really excited," the young manager told The NLP. "We have very good Step 5 players who haven't had the opportunity to step up, so it's brilliant they can do that as a group and hopefully kick on.

"I think it's going to be a very competitive league. Maldon & Tiptree are the champions-elect in many people's eyes and have top players from a higher level, and Grays Athletic are a famous club in Non-League.