HOLYWELL TOWN boss John Haseldin believes this season can still be viewed as a success despite missing out on the league title.

Caernarfon’s 5-0 midweek victory against Llandudno Junction saw them crowned champions, leaving the Wellmen to contest second place in their run-in.

With five games remaining, Holywell are now aiming to improve on successive fifth place finishes in their first two seasons in the Welsh second tier.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Caersws, Haseldin insists his players should not be disheartened after an impressive campaign.

He said: “I think it’s a measure of the progress we’ve made when we had the Penrhyncoch players celebrating their draw with us last week as if they’d won the game.

“If we’re seen as that big a scalp by some of our rivals, than that’s a huge compliment.

“We’ve shown that we’re a very decent side for most of this season and, without making any excuses, the weather certainly hasn’t helped us.

“The number of postponements we’ve been affected by in the last few months has made this season a bit of un uphill battle for us.

“But now the title’s been won we need to try to ensure we get second place, which is still a brilliant achievement in itself.

“If we do that, it’s a sign of the progress we’ve made this season and something to be proud of, the players have been excellent for me.”

Barring a dramatic upturn in form, 13th-placed Caersws look certainties for relegation this term.

But Haseldin insists that Graham Evans’ men occupy a false position in the table and expects a stern test from a ‘capable’ Cws side.

“They’re a tough side to break down, especially at home. where they make themselves hard to beat.

“We know there’s quality in their squad with a few ex-Welsh Premier players in their line-up so we know it’ll be a tough game.

“They’ll be targeting three points I’m sure, but I felt our performance last weekend against Penrhyncoch was below our usual standards, so hopefully we’ll see a reaction from the players and we can bounce back with a win.”

The Wellmen have no fresh injury concerns, with prolific striker Sam Jones to spearhead their attack after netting in six successive league games.

A reduced league fixture schedule sees third-placed Denbigh Town head to in-form Guilsfield, while Ruthin Town host Penrhyncoch.