SLOUGH Town FC joint-boss Neil Baker is keen to focus on the positives after an eventful season in the Southern Premier Division.

The Rebels picked-up an impressive 35 points from their opening 24 matches and reached the New Year in the top half of the table.

However, they could only add a further 16 points in the second half of the season, ensuring they would end the year in 16th place.

Baker admits that it has been a disappointing end to the campaign, though he insists Slough have been more than competitive.

He told The Observer: “It’s a difficult one really. We started off well and I was delighted up until January.

“I’m not so happy with how it finished, but we missed some big players and maybe didn’t replace them.

“The negative was injuries to key players, people who make a lot of difference at our level.

“To lose Adam Foulser last season and then Warren Harris in the summer was a massive blow for us.

“We also lost Gary MacDonald to Hayes & Yeading and he would’ve been the experienced player we probably lacked.

“No-one likes to lose a game of football and we lost a few comfortably towards the end, and that’s the biggest disappointment.

“We limped in a little bit and it’s been a disappointing end to the season, but we started ever so well.

“We’ve beaten three of the top six away from home as well as Margate in the FA Trophy, which was a tough trip.

“We’ve been more than competitive this year so I’m not going to turn the season into a terrible one.

“We were flirting with the play-offs up until January and never in a relegation battle, so we’re not to down about it.” Slough held their end of season presentation evening at Farnham Park on Saturday, where players were recognised for their performances.

Baker and fellow boss Jon Underwood named Ryan Parsons and Ed Smith as joint winners of the Managers’ Player of the Year award.

Scott Harris was voted as the Players’ Player, and Jake Parsons took home both the Supporters Trust and MyFC Player of the Year awards.

Baker said: “Eddie Smith has had a great first season at step three. He’s scored goals and his work rate has been exceptional.

“Ryan Parsons has worked hard week-in-week out and gave good performances more often than not.

“Scott won the Players’ award which is the most important one because you always want praise from your piers.

“He’s worked hard and come up with a number of goals this year. He has done the dirty work which doesn’t go un-noticed.

“I’m delighted for Jake because he had a tough start to the season in terms of his fitness levels were not where they needed to be.

“He went away on loan but came back and gave some excellent performances.” Smith netted 21 times this season to win the Golden Boot Award, though Adam Martin’s volley against Burnham was voted Goal of the Season.

Chris Henry received the Barmby Army Award for Best Newcomer, whilst Noreen and Pete Bridle took home the Chris Sliski Clubperson Shield.

**THE new Southern Premier Division season will get under way on Saturday, August 8. Fixtures are due to be released on July 16.** **PICK up a copy of The Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action including pictures from Slough Town's end of season presentation evening**