ANDY Taylor has stressed the importance of a strong finish to the season for his FC Clacton side in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.

FC Clacton currently occupy 10th place with 46 points from 28 games, and with 12 games remaining Taylor is anxious to guard against the season petering out.

The Essex side this afternoon entertain long-time leaders Wroxham, who were knocked off the top of the table on Wednesday evening when Ely City won 3-0 at Newmarket Town.

Today see the clubs meet for the first time this season, with the return at Trafford Park a week on Tuesday.

Taylor said: “We have not played them yet this season, so it is a big game for us and a good test to see where we are at this season.

“I think whatever time we played them it would be tough, but we could face a backlash due to Wroxham losing top spot.

“We will show them respect, but not too much, and be going for the win. If you sit back they can hurt you, so we will be looking for the three points.”

Reserve team boss Taylor took over at the start of this season, after Steve Pitt vacated the managerial hot-seat at the Rush Green Bowl to become manager at Stanway Rovers.

Taylor said his target at the start of the campaign was to emulate last season, when FC Clacton finished in 16th position with 49 points, after winning promotion from Division One the previous season.

“I was just looking to achieve what the lads did last year, but they have done a fantastic job and I want them to keep doing what they have been doing for the rest of the season.

“My targets have changed as we are only three points off achieving the same points total for the whole of last season and still have 12 games left to play, so if we finish strongly we can finish in the top ten.

“When you get to this stage of the season, when you can’t win the league and you can’t be relegated, you don’t want the season to fizzle out, so I am looking for a strong finish.”

Taylor does not have any injury concerns, with Dan Smith and Kylean Marvell both fit to return after missing last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Kirkley & Pakefield, while Lee Barrett will have a run-out with the reserves.

“It was a scrappy game and we must be better than that if we are to get anything out of the game against Wroxham,” he added.