THE hard work is just about to begin for Maldon and Tiptree boss Alan Kimble.

The Jammers avoided relegation from Ryman League division one north on the last day of the season.

They grabbed a 2-0 win at Waltham Abbey to preserve their status in the division, the Jammers needed a draw or a win before the game to be sure of beating the drop.

Maldon took the lead through Tunde Adewunni on 17 minutes.

Alex Andrews secured the win and Maldon’s place in the league when he scored on 79 minutes.

In the end, Barkingside, who were the side that could have overtaken Maldon, were held to a 2-2 draw as Tilbury hit a last-minute equaliser.

Kimble said: “Job done - now the hard work starts.

“At the end of the day we just wanted to get over the line.

“And the boys put in a great performance to do that.

“I made some decisions on the playing front – sticking with players that had put in decent performances in the last two matches.

“It was a bit sentimental but I stuck with players that had given us the momentum.”

Now that Maldon are safe, finishing in 19th place and four points off the drop zone, Kimble is looking ahead to next season and the challenges ahead.

He said: “It has been a tense couple of weeks, with sides below us winning games, but the hard work starts now.

“I have a core of players and I want to be pushing for the play-offs next season.

“We were playing catch-up when we came through the door and the job was to avoid relegation and we have done that.

“I have made some mistakes over the season and I will learn from then and it will make me a better manager.

“I will sit down with the players and decide who we want to keep for next season.

“This is when I and Anwar (assistant manager Uddin) will stamp our authority on the club.

“I think we are the right people to take the club forward.

“I know there have been some doubters outside the club but, inside the four walls here, we knew that we would be safe and had the players to do the job.”