Lammas set to miss out on promotion yet again

Mar 18 2009 Staines News

STAINES LAMMAS won't get promotion even if they win the Combined Counties One title, writes Jacob Murtagh.

So reckons boss Nathan Wharf, who admits the club won't make the March 31 ground-grading deadline.

Lammas need floodlights, covered accommodation and a fence around the pitch in order to get the nod from the footballing authorities. But Lammas don't intend on submitting plans to

Spelthorne Council until next week, and look set to miss out again after winning the title last year.

Wharf (left) said: "The plans should take around eight weeks, so that would take us into May, and mean we miss the deadline.

"It's frustrating, but we've come a long way in the three seasons I've been here.

"We came fourth in the first year, then won the double last season, and now we're already in two cup finals and challenging for the title again."

Staines were nine points behind leaders Mole Valley ahead of last night's clash with Frimley Green. And Wharf admits Saturday's game against the table-toppers will all but decide the title race.

"If we lose, we're out of it," he said. "Saturday will determine the title, but if we draw we're still in with a shout as all the top sides still have to play each other."

They kept up the heat at the top with a comfortable victory over Westfield on Saturday.

Ashley Lodge fired home the first from Ben Jacobs' cross, then Lodge turned provider for Jamie Redrup to volley home the second.

Dean Greenwood's curling free-kick after the interval clinched the points as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.