SOMERSHAM Town manager Chris Bailey believes the Westenders will win promotion if they pick up nine points from their last five games.

Somersham went through a summer of change after folding its Cambs Premier first-team at the end of last season, and making its reserve team, who were in Division One B, its new senior team.

Now, with five games remaining, they are third but have five games in hand over second-placed Burwell Swifts, who beat them on Saturday.

At the top, Witchford 96 are clear with seven games left – but two go up.

“It has gone really well,” said Bailey, after his side were defeated 2-1 at home.

Next up are Witchford, who they still have to play twice. Despite that, confidence remains high at the club.

“We were unlucky on Saturday – but we have five games left and I think we need nine points.

“At the start of the season we were only allowed to keep a couple of the players from the old first team – but things have gone well and there is a good spirit at the club.”

Off the pitch there have also been changes with new faces on the committee and members and fans turned out in force to get the game on against Burwell, with the majority of the matches in the Cambs League falling by the snowy wayside.

Burwell took an early lead after some sloppy defending and Somersham were unable to capitalise on a succession of chances.

In the second half Burwell extended their lead with Tim Harrison scoring Somersham’s consolation in the final minutes.

It was a disappointing result but not one that did any major harm to their promotion hopes.

If they can pick up those nine points from their games against Witchford, Godmanchester Rovers Reserves, March Town United Reserves, and Chatteris Town Reserves, a place in Division One A should be Somersham’s.

Whatever happens, Bailey believes it has been a good season. “We are a village team playing against village teams again,” he said. “It’s a good level for us to be at at the moment. We were trying to compete with the likes of St Ives Town and Huntingdon Town and that just wasn’t possible.”