BRAINTREE Town manager Ryan Maxwell is confident his side will be ready to compete if the National League South season is completed, writes DAVID WARD.

A proposed mini-16 team, four-league competition play-off to finalise the National League South and North season placings - and in turn to decide which clubs would then gain promotion to the National League - is awaiting Football Association approval.

The National League South and North seasons were declared null and void last month, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“If it comes about we’ll be fit and ready to go because we’ve kept up our training anyway and we’ve played friendly matches,” said Maxwell, after seeing his side lose 2-0 at league rivals St Albans City at Clarence Park in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday evening.

“Whether this end of season finale gets off the ground we’ll have to wait for the FA to approve it all but I know we’ll be available as we’re already hard at work now preparing for next season anyway.

“Like last week’s home friendly against a strong Gillingham X1 (which ended 0-0) was good and we are also using these games to give trials to many promising new players.

“It’s obviously down to the powers that be what finally happens what with some clubs wanting to carry on and complete the season in some way but others already having voted not to carry on.

“Whatever happens we’ll just have to wait to see but the atmosphere amongst my boys is terrific with a strong turnout at training sessions and then using games like the one against St Albans we’re having a host of trialists coming in so we can have a really good look at them with a view to next season.”

Braintree are hoping to hold another behind-closed-doors friendly at home against Oxford City on Saturday, as Maxwell continues to team build.