Marlow manager Mark Bartley has wasted no time setting out his ambitions out for next season – telling his players minutes after the final whistle on Saturday that he expects a top ten finish.

The Blues ended their campaign with a 2-1 victory against St Ives Town, meaning they finished 11th in Southern One Central – just one goal shy of topping tenth place Northwood.

Lee Barney scored the winner in stoppage time at Oak Tree Road, stepping up to bury a penalty after being bought down in the box. Lewis Gabbidon had earlier given the hosts the lead before they were pegged back, and Bartley was pleased to see his side fight to the end in their season finale.

“I was really pleased with our level of performance and it was a great way to sign off. It meant that we finished 11th and we missed out on the top ten by one goal,” he said.

“Considering where we’ve come from over the last few years it was a good finish. When I came to the club it had just been relegated, then we got promoted from step five and then last year we were consolidating and trying to avoid relegation.

“This year we’re a side that missed out on the top ten by a goal and I think that shows good progress as a club.”

The Marlow manager says planning has already begun for next season as he bids to bridge the gap to the top five after seeing his team finish 21 points adrift of a play-off spot.

Out of 22 matches since Christmas Bartley’s team have lost just five and they head into the off season having been beaten once in their final eight outings.

The Blues boss said: “I said to them at the end of the game that the aim is to improve upon what we did this year. That would mean a top ten finish, that would mean being closer to the play-offs and that’s what I want.

“That’s what I’ll be working on and I’ll be trying to bring players together to give us the best opportunity to do that.”

Bartley says that while he enjoys speaking to various players over the summer months he can see why for some managers the period can be a “nightmare”.

A central midfielder, striker and full-back are on Bartley’s wish list but he doesn’t believe a complete overhaul is necessary to fulfil his ambitions next season.

He said: “I believe that I’ve got a number of players that are good enough to finish in the top ten, and by virtue of finishing in the top ten you’re normally a side scrapping for a play-off spot.

“I think I’ve got a number of players that can do that, I’ve identified a number that can improve us in certain areas and make sure the squad is a bit deeper.

“Burnham have just come down in the division, Chalfont are up the road, you’ve got Flackwell who’ve just come up, so you’ve got four clubs in close proximity.

“For the players it might be a good thing because there’s more competition and more offers floating around. From a managers’ perspective it can be a bit of a nightmare.”