SHRIVENHAM manager Dave Turner has stressed that the first half of the Hellenic League Premier Division season has gone according to plan, writes CHRISTOPHER PANKS.

The Barrington Park outfit are currently fourth-bottom but despite their lowly position, Turner is happy with his side's performances.

“I knew it was going to be like this when I came here," he said.

“We set a points target for halfway of 20 points, if we win (against Newbury on Saturday) we'll have achieved that target. If not, we're two points behind.

“But we know where we are, we know what we've got and there's no panic.

“We've got a good bunch of lads. Don't be surprised at how hard they work for one another. It's a very tight ship here at the moment.

Shrivvy lost 3-1 to local rivals Highworth on Boxing Day, but were it not for the impressive performances of visiting keeper Gary Stevens and two-goal TJ Bohane, it could have been a different story.

“I thought we came out of it with a lot of credit,” said Turner.

“We took some time to get going, but when we did, we had some very good chances.

“The first 20 minutes has cost us dearly, we didn't start until we were two goals down then, their keeper has made two marvellous saves and we could have come in 2-2 at half time.”

Shrivvy entertain fellow strugglers Newbury in the Hellenic Premier today, a side that have won just three league games in 2013/14, and boss Turner knows his side need to make matches against the teams around them count.

“The second half of the season is going to be a lot like the first half, we have to pick up points when they're available,” he said.

“There's no easy games, you're as likely to lose against a team in the bottom five as a team at the top.”