WHILE officially there are three points up for grabs, Witham Town head into their penultimate game of the season tomorrow with only pride to play for.

And manager Danny Greaves wants his young side to enjoy themselves against Leyton.

Witham’s position in the Ryman League division one north bottom two was confirmed last weekend, following their defeat against Thamesmead Town.

However, the win over neighbours Maldon Town on Monday raised spirits at Spa Road.

And with two more competitive games to play before they can draw a line under what has been a disappointing campaign, Greaves want to see his youngsters end on a high note.

He said: “We can enjoy ourselves over the next couple of games.

“The Thamesmead result was disappointing.

“We got off to a great start after two minutes but then we defended poorly.

“But the Maldon game is the first one that we have actually defended properly in and perhaps the penny has dropped.

“My dad came along to watch that game and he said to me that it didn’t look like the team that I had been describing.

“It was a derby game and there was a bit of rivalry there, with former players playing against their old clubs.

“It was a clean game and both sides played in a good manner.”

Meanwhile, Wayne Bond has saluted his battling Heybridge Swifts players after their relegation to Ryman League division one north was confirmed.

The Scraley Road side had their fate sealed after going down 2-0 in Monday’s Essex derby at Billericay.

Bond said: “I’m so proud of the way my young team battled and fought.

“After the run we’ve had recently, there was a glimmer of hope but it was always going to be incredibly difficult and, in the end, it wasn’t to be.

“Nevertheless, my young players put their heart and soul into it and, from that point of view, I couldn’t be happier with the way they performed.

“Given the way things were going at one stage, people were saying we’d be relegated by February.

“Had that been the case, I’d have been gutted and would have questioned myself, in terms of being here next season.

“But there was no way we were going down with a whimper. I wouldn’t have let that happen.”

Bond is looking for a strong finish in the last two games, at home to Staines tomorrow and then away to Canvey Island on April 25.

Maldon Town have two division one north matches left, starting away to Aveley tomorrow.