Swindlehurst to leave Whyteleafe after cup defeat

1:27pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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Whyteleafe manager Dave Swindlehurst is set to leave the club this summer after last night's disappointing Surrey Senior Cup final defeat to Merstham.

Despite having beaten AFC Wimbledon and Blue Square Premier side Worthing on their way to the final, 'Leafe fell at the last hurdle to Combined Counties Premier division club Merstham 3-2 after extra-time, even though they led twice.

The defeat ended an impressive season for Whyteleafe, who finished comfortably in mid-table after dodging relegation last year, but Swindlehurst admitted to feeling the club's financial restraints meant he had taken them as far as he could.

"I don't think I will be at Whyteleafe next year," he said. "I don't think the budget is going to be there and my decision is pretty much down to the finances.

"The club cannot afford to push on. It would be a struggle to sign and keep a lot of the players I have and it would be impossible to bring in new blood.

"I have got it as far as I have and it's up to someone else to take it on now."

Swindlehurst joined the club in December 2006 after spells at Bromley, Crawley Town and Carshalton and led them to safety in Ryman Division One South in his first season. This season they finished a respectable 11th, an achievement Swindlehurst is proud of.

"Winning the cup would have just capped off an improving season," he said. "Our aims were to finish comfortable in mid-table with 60 points and we got 56 which isn't bad."

After a goalless first half last night Whyteleafe took the lead through Ali Reeve before Merstham levelled ten minutes from the end to force extra-time.

'Leafe went in front again through a Sam Clayton penalty after Daniel Patel was brought down but Merstham again levelled a few minutes later.

With penalties looming, Matt Francis scored with just four minutes left to break 'Leafe hearts.

Swindlehurst said: "Nobody likes to lose a final and unfortunately we didn't have the legs for it in the end which is a shame.

"Once you go in to the lead you want to keep it for a period of time but we weren't able to do that. Their first two goals we should have cleared really."