Andoversford’s flagship team wrap up what has been an excellent Cheltenham League Division One campaign tomorrow.

But although they will travel to Southside Star with the title already safely in their kit bag – and with it promotion to the Northern Senior League - there is still plenty to play for because there is the small matter of a Senior Charity Cup final against Tewkesbury Town next month.

That game at Cheltenham Town Football Club is still the best part of two weeks away on Thursday 9th May (7pm) and for now club secretary and assistant manager Phil Hendy is happy to reflect on what has been a “really, really good season”.

“The aim was always to win the Division One title this season,” said Hendy. “We finished second last year and we really wanted to get into the Northern Senior League.”

It will be the first time that the club have played at the higher level in their current guise.

“Andoversford and Christchurch Nomads merged in 2003 so that we could run two teams,” explained Hendy.

“Initially we were called Andoversford Nomads but now we’re known as just Andoversford.”

And although it has taken the club, who fielded three teams in the Cheltenham League this season, 16 years to reach the level, all the hard work has certainly been worthwhile.

They weren’t a million miles behind a very strong Cheltenham Civil Service side last season and Hendy says the team have carried on their form of last year.

“We’ve improved,” he said. “We’ve brought in a couple of new players and they’ve made a difference.

“Riley Woodman, who plays up front, joined us from Fintan and he’s been really good. We also brought in defender James Boddy from Fintan as well.”

Another of their key players has been defender Jake Berry and Hendy continued: “He’s moved up from our 2nd team and he’s been really good, he’s been one of our best players.”

Manager Matt Brown has been the man who has held it altogether – he was joint manager with Hendy last season – and while they have led the division for much of the campaign it hasn’t all been plain sailing.

“We had a bit of a hiccup a few weeks ago,” admitted Hendy. “We lost to Upton Town and we drew with Kings.”

They’ve also had to play much of the second half of the season without their skipper Luke Lonergan who has had a knee injury.

Ryan Cleal has worn the captain’s armband in his absence and he may do so again in next month’s cup final although Lonergan is still hoping to be fit for that showpiece occasion.

Andoversford will start as favourites for that game – they clinched the Division One title with a 4-1 win at Tewkesbury on Saturday – and Hendy is determined that the club end the season on a high.

“We’ve got a bit of a reputation in finals,” he admitted, “we don’t do very well. We’ve lost a couple of finals in the Junior Cup, both to Bishop’s Cleeve, in the past couple of seasons.”

And while a win in that game will add an extra gloss to what has already been a very good season, a defeat won’t alter the fact that the club, who play their home games on the 3G pitch at Winchcombe School, will be playing in the Northern Senior League in 2019/20.

So how does Hendy think they will fare at the higher level?

“We want to stay in it, that would be the first consideration,” he said. “But we’re reasonably confident we can do well.

“We’ve played quite a few of the teams when they were in the Cheltenham League and Cheltenham Civil Service are second in the division this season.

“We’ve also played quite a few friendlies against teams from the Northern Senior League and always done okay.”

Andoversford are currently looking for candidates to take over as managers of their 2nd and 3rd teams next season with the teams playing in divisions three and four of the Cheltenham League.

Anyone interested should call Phil Hendy on 07966 883065 or email afc@pahaccounting.com

Tomorrow’s Cheltenham League fixtures

Division 1
Kings v Hanley Swan
Southside Star FC v Andoversford
Tewkesbury Town v Bishop’s Cleeve FC A
Upton Town v Dowty Dynamos

Division 4
Charlton Rovers 3rds v Kempsey Corinthians

Divisional play-offs (ko 2pm unless stated)

Division 2
Prestbury Rovers v Bredon Reserves
St Pauls Utd v Brockworth Albion Reserves

Division 3
Leckhampton Rovers v Kings FC Reserves
Welland v Prestbury Rovers Reserves

Division 4
Malvern Cave v Woodmancote
Cheltenham United v Cheltenham Saracens Reserves (4pm)

Play-off finals will be played at Bishop’s Cleeve FC on Saturday 4th May
Division 4 play-off – 12pm
Division 3 play-off – 2pm
Division 2 play-off – 4pm