ANOTHER season is over and it has been a successful one, on the whole, for the majority of south Essex’s non-league teams. With East Thurrock United and Bowers & Pitsea winning promotion and Concord Rangers and Basildon United winning cup competitions, there has been plenty to cheer in the 2015/16 season.

The week LUKE LAMBERT rounds up all our teams’ seasons, with today’s focus on the Essex Senior League. Here is what Bowers' Rob Small, Basildon's Craig Gillam, Hullbridge Sports' Rob Hodgson and Southend Manor's Stuart Marshall had to say.

How do you view what you have achieved this year?

RS: The standout success of the season was the FA Vase as we exceeded all expectations. The performances were some of the best I have been involved in. I found it challenging but so enjoying. We were up against very good teams and it gave me a taste of managing at a higher level.

I didn’t enjoy the league campaign at times as there was pressure and we didn’t play well for long periods. The manner of winning was excellent though!

CG: We have punched above our weight and it has been fantastic. It has been down to hard work and being close like a family and that has been really refreshing. We are not just a squad and we help each other.

Winning the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup was massive. The boys was so up for it and losing the league in the way we did was great for us.

RH: Looking back as a whole it has been good. We have gone the furthest in the FA Cup, equalled the FA Vase and were two points off second highest points total in the league and a semi-final and a final so it’s not been that bad.

SM: When I took over the target was to avoid relegation as we were struggling at the side. We have more than achieved that and the boys have done really well. I think we have done well.

What is your biggest disappointment about the season?

RS: The heartbreak of losing the semi-final in the FA Vase. I have never experienced anything like that. We were shattered and there was nothing that could be said to make anyone feel better and that was quite a sombering experience. To lose six league games was far too many as well. We shouldn’t have made it as difficult for ourselves as we did.

CG: To lose the league on the final day, and to Bowers. It makes you look back at the poorer results and you think about the missed chances along the way. Burnham 4-4 at their place in January - we were 3-1 down, came back to lead and conceded a late goal.

RH: It is the league campaign. We threw away too many points. I don’t want to make excuses but there have been injuries and availability but we should have been top six.

Part of it was going out the Gordon Brasted as that hurt the players but we were struggling to field a team and times and were using the under-18s and as good as they were they lacked experienced.

SM: The dip in form in March. We were poor against teams we should have beaten. We struggled with that and we needed to address that. We could have pushed on and should have finished two or three places higher.

What was your favourite game? And why?

RS: Kidlington away in the FA Vase was a cracking result (4-0 win). We drew it 3-3 and we rode our luck in that game. They thought they had it son up at their match. To nullify that threat and to do it so perfectly was special.

CG: The second match against Ilford. It was the game where I thought we really felt we could win the league. Winning 3-2 late on was massive and an amazing feeling.

What are your targets for next season?

RS: I think getting promoted was what that players and I needed. We know it is very competitive and the initial target is staying in the league and I don’t want to be naïve. If by Christmas we look comfortable we can re-assess. We will be the team no-one fancies again. There are very strong clubs in that league and there is not a real weak link.

CG: We are going out to win the title and win promotion. I have to strengthen in certain areas but we can still do it. It will be more difficult as Ilford and barking will be tougher but we are a good side too.

RH: We finished the season better than our results shopwed and I want top four and top six. We are capable and we want to add players and that is what we want to do.

SM: I want to get things done early and we have a good pre-season lined up against Romford, Hornchurch and Thurrock so that will be tough. I am speaking to lots of players and there are a lot of players who have played higher that want to look around.

We want to finish top 10 and try and win some silverware. I don’t want to be another team. We need to kick on.

What have you learned about yourself as a manager this season?

RS: I have learned a lot. If you close your mind to thinking you have cracked it you won’t progress. I ask a lot of questions as I want to know the best way to do things and this year was a good one for me.

The FA Vase was a challenging experience and having the best team wasn’t good enough. Everything was better and you need to find a way of winning. I have learned a lot about football this year and I want that to continue.

CG: I have noticed I can work under pressure and I am good at getting the best out of people. Sometimes they need an arm around them and my man management skills have come to the fore in that situation. To keep so many good players here and all without an ego was good.

Can you give your team a score out of 10 for this season? And explain why?

RS: I would have to say nine. Given the Vase it was excellent. If we had performed a bit better in the league maybe a 10 but I don’t think we reached the level of performance we were capable of.

CG: Nine, we didn’t win the league so I can’t give a 10 but I am very pleased in general.

RH: I would say seven. We did well in the cups and if it was by league it was four.

SM: I would give the team a six. We have done well with a young side but we let ourselves down in March and we need a bit more belief.