MANAGER Mark Morsley has challenged his Leiston side to set a new points record after winning the Ridgeons League Premier Division title on Saturday – and then targeted a top-five finish in the Ryman League next season.

Morsley enthused: “It has been a fantastic season for us. We have played some great football and had some fantastic victories.

“It was disappointing to lose at Coalville in the quarter-final of the FA Vase, because we had a great chance to go all the way, and we also had a great run in the FA Cup.

“But we set out to win the league at the start of the season and we have now done that with six games still to play. I would like us to get the most points any team has in a season. The record is 103 and we now have 91.

“The resolve and determination of this group of players is as good as anywhere I have been.

“We have a solid base and only conceded 29 goals in 36 league games. Historically successful sides don’t concede many.

“Everyone has been focused on the job from day one – it has always been about winning the league.”

Turning his thoughts to next season, when the club will be competing in Division One North of the Ryman League, Morsley said: “Our aim will be to get in the play-offs at the very least, which means finishing in the top five.

“We want to move the club forward, and I think the club are strong enough to reach the Ryman Premier and play at that level,” he added.

Leiston skipper and goalscorer David Head said: “We did what we had to do. Although it is a shame we didn’t win the game, it was pleasing to score the goal – I was certainly due one.”

Head, who won the Ridgeons League three times with AFC Sudbury, continued: “It was lovely to win it three times with Sudbury, but it is nice to win it with a different club and to see the chairman, vice-chairman and the gaffer get some success.

“Goldie (defender Mark Goldifinch) and Stanners (goalkeeper Jamie Stannard) have been consistent players in the Ridgeons League for 10 years plus so they really deserve to win it,” he added.