Bracknell Manics FC players will need to put all the guns out if they are to beat Winkfield FC on Friday evening.
Manager Gavin Baker has warned his side that they must play the game of their lives if they intend to beat Winkfield FC in the Bracknell Town & District Sunday League Senior Cup final.
Manics have had a rather indifferent time in the league’s Premier Division, and are likely to finish either third or second from bottom when the season finally ends.
Winkfield, however, have enjoyed a fine run in their first year in the top flight, and sit fifth in the table with two games left to play.
Manics will go into Friday’s game at Larges Lane (kick off 7.45pm) as underdogs, but Baker believes his team have the ability to beat Winkfield, as long as they come out of the blocks quickly.
“Winkfield play such good football and our best chance is to get in among them and stifle them,” said Baker.
“They’ve got some very good Sunday League players, but we’ve got a pretty good squad available as well, especially in terms of character and spirit.
“We’ve lost 4-1 and 5-1 against them this season, but to be fair in both games we were fairly tight in the first half, but like so many games this season, we lost our way in the second half.
“We’re definitely the underdogs and we’re going to have to put in the performance of the season if we’re going to get anything from the game.
“In terms of our dangermen, we’ll be looking to players like Lee Blackman, who plays for Bisley on a Saturday, and then there’s Ashley Deutron and Harry Clowse who are both attacking midfielders.
“The lads are really keen, though, and if we can start the game all guns blazing we’ll have a really strong opportunity.”
In Manics’ two previous cup finals in their short history, they have been beaten on both occasions.
However, Baker is certain that they can end that losing streak tomorrow.
Although Manics have struggled to field a regular side in the league this season, they have always managed to put out a strong team in the cup, and despite losing two influential players for the final, Baker insists he will be able to play a very competitive side.
“It’s the third cup final that the club has been in since we have been running and for me as a player it’s my second,” said Baker.
“We’ve lost both finals 1-0 so hopefully it’ll be third time lucky.
“There’s a feeling in the squad that this is out best chance of winning.
“We’ve had a bit of an up and down season so the cup run has always been a shining light – it’s given us a distraction from the league.
“We had a good start but we lost some players and haven’t been able to replace them.
“We’ve been so inconsistent with the number of players and the quality of the players we can put out each week, but we’ve managed to put in good sides for the cup and our semi-final side was probably the best we’ve put out all season.
“Unfortunately for the cup final we’ll be missing two important players, Dave Fenton and Chris Adams, who both play for Binfield on a Saturday.
“It’s a blow for us but I’m confident we’ve got a good enough squad to cope.”
Come along on Friday night to support the sides under the floodlights of Bracknell Town.
— Bracknell Manics FC are also looking for new players now and for the coming season. If interested in training, please visit their website for more information: wwww.manicsfc.co.uk