MERSTHAM'S 3-2 victory over Leatherhead may not have been the prettiest but their manager, Hayden Bird, said it shows his team might be ready to challenge for promotion next season.
"I've spent two years here teaching them how to play proper football and now it's a case of teaching them how to win. We've seen that here and we really want to set the foundations for next season," he said.
"I think what the game lacked in quality was made up for in effort. Technically, it wasn't as good as the last six performances but the heart, passion and desire compensated for that."
Merstham look destined to finish the season comfortably in mid-table but Bird insists there is plenty still to play for.
"We've got to really push on to finish as high in the table as we can – that's important. It's about building momentum – we want to arrive in July [for the new season] as real contenders."
Bird was quick to admit, though, that before thinking about next season and possible promotion a few mistakes still need to be ironed out of Merstham's game.
"Our work with the ball wasn't good enough. I think the real disappointment is that the score should have been 3-0. The two mistakes for their goals were bad mistakes; it should have been a lot easier."
"Luckily, we learned a lesson here without having to pay the price.
"Earlier in the season we were really unlucky, every mistake we made was punished and we would have ended up drawing or losing these sorts of games.
"They say the wheel turns full circle in football, perhaps it really does."
For long periods this season Tommy Hutchings has flattered to deceive. Saturday was not such an occasion. Hutchings scored twice and assisted the third against his former side.
"I was really pleased for Tommy as a person as well as a player," said Bird. "Since he's been here people say he hasn't scored the goals that he should have but the guy is worth 30 goals in the way that he creates and introduces others into the game.
"It was a special moment for him, he really wanted to do well against his old club and to score twice and create the other is sensational for him."
