THEY may be short of goals and cash but one thing they never lack at Harrow Hill is ambition. The thirst is still there for a higher grade of football and they make no secret of the fact that they would desperately like to be playing in the County League.

The application has been sent in and County League officials will be inspecting the ground and facilities this week.

Rooted at the moment in midtable, Harrow Hill chairman Reg Taylor admits the chances are slim this season. But, he says, you never know...

" Because of the finance involved these days many clubs think twice before taking promotion. If we can improve enough we might just be in with a chance," says Reg.

Realistically, he sees this season as one of cementing the club on solid foundations.

"If we can stay in midtable or just above, the plan would be to try and push ahead next season," he says.

The club was left battered and financially bruised by their Hellenic League adventures.

"In our last season in the Hellenic we had to cancel three games and each time it cost us £250. We also had to pay £1,000 to come out. With all the other costs such as referees expenses it takes a lot to play at that level and we simply couldn't sustain it," he said.

Now, with a team almost entirely composed of local players and with a clutch of promising youngsters emerging through the junior teams, Reg says he is optimistic Harrow Hill could soon a a force to be reckoned with at County League level.

"It's where I think we want to be. I don't want us to go any higher as the costs are just too high," he says.

For this season the hope is to climb towards the top of the Northern Senior League.

"We are not doing too badly but we are missing our goal scorers Eddie Weyman and Jody Taylor. They help us when they can but we need to make more of our chances," he said.

The Stonehouse game, he says, was low key. In his view, neither side played well.

Player/manager Martin Reid had a good game and was instrumental in keeping Harrow Hill in the hunt.

However, his verdict was that both sides "had too much Christmas pudding!"