NEW College Swindon signed off their season with a drab 0-0 draw with Letcombe to end a run of eight games without a point.

Like many of their games this campaign, the young side dominated possession but were missing in front of goal as they brought the season down on their league campaign.

Academy Director Ian Howell was disappointed with the end of the season run but said his side had taken another step forward this season with a mid-table finish.

“I think it was probably a fair result,” he said.

“They (Letcombe) are a much improved side and their league position probably doesn’t give you a clear idea of where they are as a side.

“We probably had the majority share of possession, as we do in a lot of the games we play, but again we had that lack of cutting edge in the final third, which has kind of been the story of the season.

“We didn’t get any clear-cut opportunities, we probably had a couple of chances at the start of the first half which we didn’t take and then in the second half they were quite resolute defensively and we struggled to break them down.

“It wasn’t for the lack of effort, but probably more down to a bit of quality and composure.

“That stopped us going to a nine-game beaten run, which from anyone’s standpoint is a horrendous run of form.

“It was disappointing for us not to end the season in the way that we wanted but it is another point on the board.”

The season may have only just ended for New College, with only a handful of under 18 games remaining, but Howell already has his sights set on next year and is excited by the young players that have broken into the team this year.

“It was our last game of the season from a Hellenic point of view, we still have about seven games for the under 18s and a cup final and a semi-final to compete in,” he added.

“For the older players that is their season finished.

“It is all about that continued evolution as a side for us, we’re looking at the players coming in as first years next year.

“We’ve got a number coming in and hopefully the first years can step up and compete and well continue pushing in the Hellenic League.

“The big bonus for us this season is that we probably had six or seven first years that stepped up to the team, which is a bit unusual from our programme, we usually wait until they are second years.

“But they have been a big success from our part and next year we can bolster the side with a few players who will stay in the team for a while.”