CALLUM Smith is determined to help Southend Saxons avenge their only defeat of the season tomorrow.
Saxons have already been crowned Regional Two Anglia champions after securing 20 victories in succession.
But Smith insists Southend remain desperate to triumph again this weekend as they face Woodford - the only team to be them this season - at Warners Bridge in their final league clash of the campaign.
"We’ve won the league and it’s all done and dusted but for me this is the game I’ve been looking forward to the most I think over the past few weeks," said Smith.
"Yes, the Manor and the Harlow games were huge given the position of each of those teams but I wasn’t able to play the first game of the season against Woodford due to returning from surgery.
"Although they won, I thought we were unlucky when I watched it.
"I think if you ask any of the lads how they feel about this weekend, they’ll be saying the same thing.
"We owe them one, not just for the season, but they’ve been a bit of a bogey team for us for the past couple of years."
Despite Saxons' willingness to win, the pressure will be off this weekend as they sit 10 points clear of second placed Eton Manor with just this weekend's game to go.
And Smith has been delighted with the consistency Southend have shown this season.
"It's been good," said the centre.
"It’s not so much pleasing for me personally, although it’s great to get promotion with any team, it’s more pleasing to see what it means to the long time supporters of the club and the people behind the scenes.
"To see what it means to them makes it all worth it."
Southend have bounced back from their 32-31 defeat to Woodford on the opening day of the season.
And Smith feels the strength of the summer signings has made a big difference this time around.
"I think we were lucky to make a few quality signings in the summer just gone which obviously helps and they’ve really added to the group," said Smith.
"It’s difficult to find the type of player who is good on the pitch and just as good off it but we’ve added four or five real good blokes to the team and that definitely gives you a boost."
The side have combined well throughout the campaign and Smith is looking forward to being presented with the league title following Saturday's game.
"As I’ve mentioned, as much as lifting the trophy will be a great feeling and to have a medal wrapped around your neck is nice it will mean more seeing some of the men and women around the club who have supported the club for years in some pretty poor times finally celebrate a decent season," he added.
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