Eton Manor head coach Jamie Connors says winning promotion is his best achievement in coaching

Victory over the Surrey side means Eton Manor will compete at National League level for the first time in the club’s history next season after clinching their place in National League Three South East.

Reflecting on the achievement, Connors said: “As a coach I have not been part of a team which has been promoted so it is my best achievement in coaching.

“I have been part of a team which has been promoted as a player three or four times. As a coach, this is new to me.”

After being pipped to automatic promotion by eventual London League One North winners Colchester on the final day of the regular season and losing out in the play-offs against Chichester in 2014 and Basingstoke in 2013, victory is even sweeter for the New Zealander.

He said: “It is a sense of relief really. We have finally got over the line after three years of trying. I think it means a lot to the players and the club as well, being their first time in the National Leagues.

“It is a proud occasion for everyone involved. It is a similar group to the last few years and this is their reward for all their commitment, hard work and cold Tuesday nights in training.”

Connors previously played for Southend and reached the National Leagues with the Essex side and is fully aware there is a quality gap between London League One North and the step up.

“I think it will be a bit of a jump up,” the 36-year-old admitted. “But although these teams are not professional, the clubs we will be facing will be training that bit harder and they will have more of a focus on the strength and conditioning side of things and generally take everything more professionally.”

Manor took the lead when captain Tryson Goodchild bullied his way over the line and Callum McKie kicked the extras for the home side.

Picture: Martin Pearl

But Chobham tied the score up at 7-7 after half-an-hour only for McKie to kick a 25-metre penalty.

And the visitors led at the break following a converted try.

However, their advantage was undone when Manor edged in front with two second-half minutes gone; Kevin Reed powering over before McKie bisected the posts once more.

But no more points were scored as a tactical kicking game ensued. Manor thought they had lost when Chobham appeared to have scored a late try but the referee ruled the effort out due to a knock-on and their opponents breathed a collective sigh of relief.