LANGLEY FC boss Peter Phillips insists his team will come back stronger next season after suffering cup final heartache.

The Kedermister Park-based club lost the East Berkshire Norfolkian Senior Cup final after a 1-0 extra time defeat to The Lynchpin.

Phillips is proud of his players’ efforts at York Road, Maidenhead, last Thursday, and believes that on a different day they could have lifted the cup.

And he has backed his side to continue on their learning curve and be ready to compete for honours again next season.

Phillips told The Observer: “I asked our lads to give me 110 per cent and that’s exactly what they did, they left everything on the pitch.

“I’m proud of the lads, and a few of them couldn’t walk the next day because of the efforts they put in.

“On another night, if we had taken our chances, then it could’ve been a different story, but fair play to The Lynchpin.

“I think they just about deserved it and their goal was class, but we competed with them for two hours.

“We’ve got a new squad this season and have done well just to get into the final.” Phillips continued: “It has been a learning curve for us, and we will come back stronger next year.

“We’ve competed all season and have now got a platform to build on. We will make a few tweaks here and there and be ready for next season.

“We’re not here to make up the numbers. We have battled all season and aimed to play attacking football, which we’ve been doing.

“It’s exciting times for the club with a full youth set up in place for next year, and players queing up to come on board.” Langley beat Slough Heating 3-0 last Saturday, but followed up with a 5-2 defeat away at Iver Heath Rovers on Wednesday.

Despite the loss, Phillips has challenged his team to secure a top-four finish in their first crack at Premier Division football.

He said: “The win on Saturday was a good response to the cup final and well done to the players who got through both games, which was hard.

“Games are coming thick and fast but the league title is The Lynchpin’s to throw away now.

“We will take each game as it comes and aim for a top-four finish, which is still achievable.

“We’re going to be competitive right to the end, and there will be a few twists and turns yet.” **PICK up a copy of The Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action including pictures from The Lynchpin versus Langley** **FOLLOW The Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**