Imran Bhatti confident that Frontline can bounce back in the League Cup and avenge defeat to Southcote

PICTURE: Frontline Chairman, Imran Bhatti, is confident that his team can bounce back from a recent defeat to Southcote in the League and reach the League Cup Final this season - what would be a 'great achievement' for the Club.

To reach the East Berkshire League Cup Final would be a great achievement and reward for all the hard work Frontline F.C. has put in this season, according to Chairman, Imran Bhatti.

The club has a strategy to strengthen its youth sections so that Frontline will be a formidable force for years to come and, the class of 2024 has already shown its star qualities this season.

Frontline are challenging for the Premier Division title and take on Southcote on League Cup Semi Finals Day at Eton Wick F.C. & Social Club this Saturday for a place in the competition Final, which this season will return to the heart of Slough at Arbour Park Stadium.

It has not all been smooth sailing however, as the team needed penalties to beat lower-league Sandhurst Royals in the Quarter Finals of the League Cup, and now must recover from a recent 5-0 defeat at the hands of Southcote in a league match just two weeks ago.

Bhatti said: “Our young squad started the season playing the beautiful game with a strong passion and immense enjoyment, which has created a great brotherhood.

“With a relatively young and inexperienced squad, some of the results have been very disappointing and self-inflicted but, the guidance and encouragement from senior members has enabled us to bounce back. We have however, allowed valuable points to slip away in the league.

PICTURE: Frontline take on Southcote in the early kick off (12.30pm) during League Cup Semi Finals Day at Eton Wick F.C. & Social Club this Saturday.

“Overall, we’ve done better than we expected but those lost points does make it harder for us to finish on top of the table considering teams below us have games in hand. There is still a possibility it might happen for us though.

“Frontline F.C. always set out to play football in an enjoyable and beautiful manner, with the aim of attracting younger footballers into senior (men’s) football. This vision and strategy has strengthened our youth sections, so in years to come Frontline will be a formidable force across all age groups.

“Secondary to this is to achieve silverware, and this season our goal included the League Cup. We faced a strong Division One side in Sandhurst in the Quarter Finals, they stretched us and forced penalties before we managed to progress. We could well have exited the competition at that stage.”

Looking ahead to the clash with Southcote this weekend, Bhatti added: “Considering the youth and inexperience we have, reaching the final will be a great achievement and a good reward for the hard work from all involved this season.

“Southcote are good, young side and despite losing 5-0 to them a few weeks ago, we’re confident we will bounce back and reach the final. Our players take a lot of strength from their faith and this month of Ramadan brings with it blessings that will strengthen our desire to progress past Southcote.”

Frontline arrive at Semi Finals Day in somewhat mixed form with three wins from their six matches since the end of the Winter Break, putting two defeats behind them to emerge victorious at Virginia Water Reserves in the league last weekend. Imran Kassim could be the main threat to Southcote having scored 23 goals in 15 appearances so far this season, including a hat-trick in the success over The Waters.

To enter the East Berkshire Football League ahead of the 2024/25 season, or for further information about the league, or an entry form for the upcoming season, please email the team at contactebfl@gmail.com