SHRIVENHAM chief Michael McNally is hoping to qualify for next season’s FA Cup with a strong finish to the season in the Hellenic League Division One West.

Despite a tricky three-game spell in five days over the Easter weekend, McNally is targeting a minimum of seven points to push his side towards a desired seventh place finish.

Shrivenham are currently 11th in the league, eight points behind Cirencester Town Development in seventh but have two games in hand.

“I think we have to finish above seventh to get into the FA Cup next year,” McNally said.

“If we get seven or nine points from the next few days and if we can finish above seventh, that’s not a bad season considering where we have been.

“It’s been a difficult season this year but the last three or four months we have been very good.

“We have had a stable team, the same 16 lads there every week, and they are all singing off the same hymn sheet.”

Shrivenham’s 3-0 defeat to Cheltenham Saracens last Saturday, where they lost their goalkeeper to injury and had a man sent off, was there first loss in five games.

McNally’s men can go above Clanfield 85 with a win when they meet on Saturday before facing Shortwood United Reserves on Easter Monday and New College Swindon on Wednesday.

Top-of-the-table Fairford Town host Highmoor-Ibis on Saturday looking to extend their lead to six points while closest rivals Cheltenham Saracens are busy in cup action.

Purton welcome Shortwood United Reserves, while New College Swindon are desperate for three points and their fourth win of the season against Hook Norton in their bid to avoid relegation.