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PICTURE: Old Windsor meet Britwell in the Sid Hurley Challenge (League) Cup Final at the 1878 Stadium in Burnham on Bank Holiday Monday (1st May, 2pm KO).
Old Windsor manager Darren Wareham wants his team to put right the disappointment of losing in the final last season and go one better to win the Sid Hurley Challenge (League) Cup on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Os suffered Cup final heartbreak last season when conceding a lead late on in defeat to Singh Sabha, the winners becoming the sixth team in the history of the competition to retain the silverware.
Wareham will be buoyed by the fact Old Windsor have played themselves into form in recent weeks, winning six of their last 10 matches in all competitions, scoring 28 goals in the process, and with the Reserve team booking their ticket to the Ascot & Fielden District Charity Cup final.
But, standing in the way of the Os is a red-hot Britwell team, looking to complete the League and Cup double after retaining their East Berkshire League Premier Division title four weeks ago. The last team to achieve the double was Delaford back in 2018.
The League Cup final promises to be a mouthwatering event for supporters for both clubs and neutral spectators at the 1878 Stadium in Burnham on Bank Holiday Monday (2pm KO).
Wareham explained: “Any competition we enter, we go in with the ambition to win it. We were disappointed to reach the final of this competition last season and not get over the line. Hopefully this year we can go one better.
“It would obviously mean a lot to finally get our hands on the League Cup. It’s been a little bit of a transitional season for us, so to still be competing in these competitions is pleasing. We feel we probably should’ve won the game last year after leading until late in the game, this is our chance to try and put that right.
“We’ve been in good form as a Club in recent months. This form has seen us progress in Cup competitions, and the Reserve side move up the league table (EBFL Division One) as well.
“We’ve had some good and close games with Britwell this season and I would expect much of the same in the Cup final.
“I wouldn’t like to comment on favourites. We’re happy to concentrate on ourselves. Others from outside might see Britwell as favourites as they’ve had a very good League campaign however, we are always confident in our own ability. We feel that on our day we are capable of beating any team in the league.”
History is against Old Windsor however, as you have to go back to October 2018 for the Os’ last win against Britwell (0-3 in the Premier Division), although the Reserve side beat the Stabmonks in the Semi Finals to the Ascot & Fielden District Cup two weeks ago.
And their will be new hands on the famous trophy this season as neither Club has won the competition before - Britwell Hawks won the event back in 1990.
Wareham added: “Some might be surprised that Britwell and ourselves have not won this competition however, there has been some very good teams in this league over the years. Obviously in recent times we have both had success, which probably makes this sound a little bit more surprising than it actually is.
“Our message to all those following Old Windsor in this one is to enjoy the game. The lads will give it everything for the Club as they always do. Win or lose, they will play until the final whistle and leave everything on the pitch.”
To enter the East Berkshire Football League ahead of the 2023/24 season, or for further information about the league, or an entry form for the upcoming season, please email the team at contactebfl@gmail.com
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