HOLSWORTHY boss Kevin Squire feels his side finished a ‘little lower than we should be’ despite a highly-encouraging first season in charge at Upcott Field.

The former striker who turned out for the likes of Barnstaple Town and Bideford in his playing days, took over last summer following the departure of Ryan Hall who had guided the Devonians to seventh in the South West Peninsula League Premier West table in his final year, as well as three Torridge Cup finals in his time in charge.

Squire and assistant boss Adam Wosnitzka have again guided the Magpies to seventh and into the final of the Devon St Luke’s Bowl for the first time in their history where they will face hot favourites Bovey Tracey at Coach Road, Newton Abbot on Wednesday, May 6.

Holsworthy, who won 2-1 at Wadebridge Town in midweek thanks to Oscar Knight’s late stunner, could guarantee seventh with three points on Saturday against Sticker, but never really got started against their mid-table opponents who won it via Ewan Warren’s header just after the hour.

Without regular keeper Ryan Chadwick, former No.1 Ryan Walter – who these days turns out for Putford in North Devon League Intermediate One – deputised and put in a fine display amid a host of corners and balls into the box.

Going forward, Holsworthy weren’t at the races, failing to seriously Harry Ashton throughout, their best chances coming in the second half to sub Gabe Rutter and striker Craig Duff, both of who were unable to hit the target.

Squire admitted they were poor, but believes they are on the right path.

He said: “It was pretty disappointing to finish like that. There’s only been one or two games where we’ve not really given a very good account of ourselves, and that was one. But fair play to Sticker, we managed to beat them 1-0 down there in a scrappy game, and they’ve done the same to us up here. That said, I thought they were a decent team who are better than their league position suggests.”

He continued: “While we weren’t very good yesterday, we’ve managed to beat last year’s points tally in less games and scored more goals, so we’ve got to be happy.

“That said, I think we’ve finished a little bit lower than we should be. Once the season finishes we’ll be about nine or 10 points off third, and if it wasn’t for a few poor decisions, whether that’s from officials or ourselves, and some mistakes late on we’d be higher. There’s no reason why we can’t do better if we iron out those mistakes.”

Squire is based in Ilfracombe and admits he’s enjoyed his first foray into Step Six football across Cornwall.

He continued: There are some really good people at Holsworthy Football Club, and I’ve enjoyed going to new grounds and seeing some new players.

“Although we haven’t got the budget of a lot of other teams, we’ve got a squad full of heart who give everything they can each week which is all you can ask for as a manager.”

The Magpies will finish seventh provided neighbours Bude Town don’t win their final game of the season at runners-up Elburton Villa tomorrow night (7.30pm).

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Walter; Chris Wildern, Jedd Peschke (capt), Callum Martyn, Sam Hill; Gavin Carter, Toby Martyn, Aiden Slade; Ben Sharpe, Craig Duff, Brad Ausden. Subs: Joe Barker, Lewis Haxell, Rob Pearce, Gabe Rutter, George Plumb.

Magpies’ man-of-the-match: Ryan Walter.