It's a pleasure and privilege to be playing, says Hemel boss Bircham

Lee Bircham says it’s “an absolute pleasure and privilege” for Hemel Hempstead Town to be back and playing National League South football.

Despite the long-term uncertainty surrounding the National League, North and South seasons as the funding saga rumbles on, Hemel were one of the clubs who returned to action at the weekend after a two-week suspension of matches ended.

Hemel had been due to face Concord Rangers who pulled out from the fixture, despite later confirming they would continue with their season.

Instead, the Tudors took on high-flying Dorking Wanderers at Vauxhall Road and slipped to a 3-1 defeat.

They are due to be back in action against Havant & Waterlooville tonight (Tuesday) and boss Bircham insists he is determined to enjoy the matches while they are taking place.

“It was lovely to be back,” the Tudors manager said.

“You forget all the other worries about what’s going to happen with the league when you get out onto the pitch.

“It’s just an absolute pleasure and privilege to be playing football.

“My life is all about football and I think people forget at times what a privilege it is to still have the chance to play.

“We will enjoy it for as long as the season goes on. It’s another tough game against Havant but, in this league, they are all tough games and we are looking forward to it.”

It was much of the same old story for Hemel at the weekend with Bircham once again satisfied with his team’s display but frustrated with the final outcome.

He added: “It was a tough game for us to take, we didn’t have to take it but we wanted to play and why not play the best team in the league? That’s what they are.

“You don’t want to sound like a broken record but, result aside, the performance was good.

“It’s the fine details in both boxes and that was our undoing.

“We switched off twice in the first half with the goals and the chances we had in the first half were incredible, four or five great chances and we walked away not scoring.

“They are the fine lines. The boys are learning. It’s a very hard balancing act trying to give players opportunities, trying to polish up a few rough diamonds and also trying to get performances as well as results.

“We are getting the performances but in those key areas, we are letting ourselves down at the moment.”