Enfield Town still have 13 Isthmian Premier Division fixtures left to play this season but manager Bradley Quinton is already looking forward to his first pre-season in charge.

The former Tottenham Hotspur trainee succeeded George Borg as Towners boss in August after following the former Braintree Town manager to the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium – initially as a player – last season.

Quinton stepped up to take the reigns after Borg was dismissed on August 26 but took over the side six games into the new season.

Speaking after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Grays Athletic at Mill Field, the home of Aveley, Quinton said he was relishing the prospect of taking charge of the side for a full season after enjoying a significant impact this term.

He said: “It will be great to have pre-season. There are one or two things which I could not have done. But now you can see their true colours and they are willing to stay on and do more training.

“Next year hopefully we will have better facilities for the players to come in and do more work when they want to.

“They are young lads and they make silly mistakes but it is ok if you realise you have made a mistake and come in and work hard to better yourself and make sure you don’t make it again.”

Set pieces were the order of the day when the Towners squad re-convened on Monday evening for training, after Grays twice scored from free-kick deliveries to take a two-goal lead on Saturday.

Manny Parry opened the scoring after meeting former Town player Jey Siva’s free kick. Claudiu Vilcu was then penalised for a challenge inside the penalty area over which Quinton had no complaints. However, goalkeeper Nathan McDonald saved Kenny Beaney’s spot-kick.

Grays’ Joao Carlos then added a second goal from a set piece before Bobby Devyne pulled one back with a fine finish before the break. But with four minutes left on the clock, defeat was secured as Jordan Wilson found himself in space to tuck home the third.

Quinton says lessons will be learned from the goals conceded, explaining: “Without a shadow of doubt [they were disappointing goals to concede]. I do not think a lot of people realise how well they have done this season. They want to learn and go a long way in the game.

“The facilities are a bit hard at the moment as we only get one hour but there are a good five or six who can go into league football and with the right coaching, help and development I think I can help them.

“I know what it takes and I will give that commitment to every youngster who comes through the club.”

Quinton continued: “We did not get off to a good start with silly defending which cost us two goals. [The first] was a silly free kick to give away and a free header. We got one back through Bobby Devyne but Tyler Campbell and a few others failed to take their chances again and we got punished.

“It was a lot better performance in the second half but we got caught out from a breakaway and they got the third goal.”

Quinton lauded the performance of Braintree Town loanee and former Iron teammate, McDonald, between the sticks. He said: “He has been immense. He is an excellent goalkeeper and he should not be playing at this level. He should be in league football.

“He has got the right attitude and it will be a shame to lose him if he is to go back at the end of the season. I would love to have him in any team of mine.”

Meanwhile, defender Theo Jones has left the Towners to join Maldon and Tiptree.

Enfield’s next assignment is at home to Billericay Town on Saturday.