BERKELEY TOWN manager Terry Stevenson says he is focused on taking the club forward in 2010.

The Hunters are currently in the bottom five of the County League but have not played a game since November 21 due to the adverse weather conditions and their match against Ellwood this Saturday is already under threat due to the amount of rain on the pitch.

Stevenson resigned after a 6-0 defeat at local rivals Thornbury Town in September but later made a u-turn and decided to stop playing so he could concentrate on management duties.

Since that heavy defeat, Berkeley have lost just two of their last nine games and Stevenson hopes they can turn some of their draws into wins to climb the table next year.

“I needed a break to get my head around things. I’m focused on managing now and enjoying it,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to taking the club further, I want us to be a top side rather than a struggling side but it’s about getting the right players and getting them playing.

“The club has got to progress and that is what I’m trying to do. We need a bigger squad, a natural goalscorer and more maturity then we would be a very good side. We’re not losing many, we’re drawing a lot. We’ve got some players injured and a few to come back.

“We create a lot of chances but we are not clinical in front of goal. With a bit more luck we would be up there I think.”

After seemingly turning things around, a six-week break has left Stevenson frustrated.

If the game goes ahead on Saturday, a win would see Berkeley move six points clear of Ellwood, who lie one place off the bottom of the table, but defeat would see them dragged into the dogfight.

“Any game at the bottom of the league is a six-pointer,” said Stevenson.

“It’s a very tight league, there’s only 13 points between us and the top three but we need to make sure we are not pulled down into the relegation battle.

“It’s disappointing we’ve had a break because we were on a roll and we’ve produced some good performances against some good sides.

“I’m hoping we can finish mid-table and have another go at it next year.”

l Kingswood visit County League leaders Kings Stanley in the Les James Cup on Saturday (1.30pm).