NEW College Swindon coach Matt Cosnett believes that the side performed better than expected in Hellenic League Division One West.

The South Marston-based side finished their campaign in 11th place and the team made up of students from the college have been able to stun some of the stalwarts of the league.

“I remember going to Tuffley (Rovers), the pitch wasn’t in the greatest of states and we won 3-1, that is probably the result that stands out for me,” Cosnett said.

“There was also the game against Purton, we usually struggle against them, but we won 2-1.”

But it has also been a year of change for New College after Rob Hopkins stood down as manager of the Hellenic side due to work commitments and former boss Mark Teasdale returned to take the reins.

While no decision has been made over who will lead the team in the league next term, Cosnett is hoping that he be able to play a part.

“I enjoy being involved with the Hellenic side,” he said. “It is nice when you are with the lads training all week at college and then see them play senior football on the Saturday afternoon.

“Ian (Howell, academy director) has been away and now that he is back then I’m sure that there will be talks about how the structure for next season will shape up.”

Josh Croucher, Sam Lofts and Lee Toomey are players who have all impressed the College coach and he believes that the players coming through the system will continue to improve the side.

Purton will look back on the previous campaign wondering what might have been.

A seventh place finish in Division One West could have been a lot higher had than achieved greater consistency throughout the campaign.

But like other sides in the region, assistant manager Steve Hall said that they had been disappointed with the lack of commitment from the players.

Having ended the campaign with a 6-2 defeat at North Leigh United, they have also put in some impressive displays against promoted Lydney Town and champions Tytherington Rocks along the way.

Fairford Town will be disappointed that they did not get promoted after going so close for a second year running.

The Cinder Lane men once again finished fourth and manager Paul Braithwaite was hoping for more.

Fairford were 10 points off the top two and they will know that if they are to push for the Premier Division next term then they cannot afford to drop points against the bottom teams at home like they did this season.