FINAL hero Ben Osborne believes Christchurch can build on their Wessex League Cup triumph by mounting a serious title charge next season.

The Priory striker netted two vital late goals as the Hurn Bridge outfit clinched the silverware with a 3-1 victory over Brockenhurst on Monday.

That capped a fine season for Graham Kemp’s men after they had already registered a club record points total to finish third in the Premier Division.

Bank manager Osborne was a key player during a memorable campaign for Priory, scoring 22 league goals and 32 in all competitions.

The 30-year-old is confident that further success could be within the club’s reach next term.

He told the Daily Echo: “We started out the season looking to try to win something so we certainly achieved that.

“If someone had said to us we would achieve the best ever points total and league position, get to two cup finals and win one of them, with the League Cup probably being a priority out of the two, we’d have taken it. It has been a really good season.

“The level of consistency has been there over the past few years so we will just push on for next year and, hopefully, aim for the league.

“You have always got to try to stretch yourself. There will be other teams up there competing but I think we have got as good a chance as anyone.

“We slipped up and gave away points during the season, which cost us a few points. If you look back at where we lost points, we could easily have achieved a lot more.”

Osborne is hopeful that Christchurch will be able to retain their leading players despite not being able to offer them financial rewards.

He said: “If you look at the team we had in the final on Monday, the majority have given an indication they are going to stay so I think Kempy is quite optimistic we can keep most of them.

“I don’t think any of them will be looking to go to other Wessex League clubs. If anything, they will be going higher, which is a credit to them anyway, so there is no issue there.”

Osborne added: “I was chuffed to bits to score 32 goals this season. I had a bad start, injuring my head, and had a month off with my wedding as well.

“I came back firing. Another injury in February/March time slowed me down but I finished strongly, which was good.

“It has been a good season all round.”