Cherry Red Records Hellenic League preview

BICESTER Town manager Barry Grant has quit the club following his side's 1-0 defeat against Cheltenham Saracens in their final game of the season, writes KIEREN BUSHNELL.

Grant, who has been in the Bicester hot-seat for four years, said he was fed up trying to manage a Premier Division club on what he claims is a limited budget.

"It's very difficult to go on in this level of football with no money, and no sign of anything changing," he said.

Grant added that his decision was made easier by the disappointing end to the season, which saw Bicester finish in the relegation zone.

Revealing that he first thought about quitting earlier in the campaign, he added: "I decided to stay until the end of the season to show my commitment to the club and to the players.

"But I made a decision about six months ago that I had had enough and this was going to be my last season.

"It has worn me out, and it's been my most frustrating season ever. We've thrown so many games away that we could have won. It's been a huge disappointment."

Wantage Town bring down the curtain on their somewhat disappointing season at Harrow Hill tomorrow (12).

They will give some of their younger players a taste of first-team football, with 16-year-olds Alexis Oram and Adam Wise being drafted into the squad.

Abingdon United's finale is at home to Pegasus. Chris Flowers takes over in goal from Carl Wilkins, who suffered a fracture in a foot at Bishops Cleeve last week.

Richard Peirson, Danny Riley, Carl Henry and Tom Smith are all back in contention after missing the 2-1 midweek win at Gloucester United.

In Division 1 West, champions Hook Norton play their final game of a tremendous season against Winterbourne United at Banbury United's ground (11).

Darren Farley and Aaron Parkinson are both doubts.

Middle Barton end their campaign with a trip to Malmesbury (1pm). Paul Eldridge, Andy Shepherd, Ian Fraser and Mike Beale all face fitness tests.

Ardley United name an unchanged squad for their trip to Pewsey Vale.

Stuart Beavon jnr plays a trial match for Southend United in the morning again, before taking his place in the Ardley squad for the afternoon. Beavon is also going on an end-of-season tour to Germany with the Gillingham youth team as he continues to impress.

Player-manager Kevin McMahon returns in goal for Quarry Nomads in place of the injured Darren Kinch for their Division 1 East match at Rayners Lane - their fourth outing in seven days.

Sixteen-year-old Sam Graham gets a first-team chance, while Matty Elbro and Jamie Brackett miss out with injuries.