Sam Njunge wants to reward Winkfield hard work and sacrifice with Challenge Cup final win

PICTURE: Winkfield will feature in a first-ever Cup final this Saturday when taking on Britwell for the Challenge Cup at Burnham FC (5pm).

Winkfield Reserves manager Sam Njunge admits it would be special to win the Challenge Cup for those that have put in so much hard work and sacrifice at the football club.

Winkfield will take on Britwell in the inaugural Challenge Cup final at Burnham FC on Saturday (5pm ko). The two-sides qualified from Group A and drew 2-2 earlier in the competition.

Njunge explained that the season has already been a success for Winkfield, becoming the first Berks & Bucks affiliated club to achieve the new England Football Accreditation in February, as well as reaching a first-ever final.

And, although acknowledging it will be difficult against the Premier Division leaders, Njunge is hopeful the team’s togetherness and hunger will be the key to landing the Challenge Cup.

He said: “This season already feels like a success for many reasons on and off pitch, and we build up for the game with a real sense of spirit and togetherness.

“It’s fantastic now being able to reflect and see the progress that the guys have made since the start to the season. All credit to the players for their commitment and hard work throughout the season.

“Our preparation has been about tweaking and honing, and then we will just focus on a strong performance.

“It’s the club’s first-ever final and the guys are really hungry for this, they’re going to give it their all.

“Our thoughts on the final, in terms of a coaching perspective, it’s definitely been a journey to remember so far. Coming up against some great times and then, for the first time, we had to deal with the challenge of midweek fixtures.

PICTURE: The Challenge Cup Group A table which saw eventual finalists Britwell and Winkfield Reserves top the table.

“This meant managing a fair bit of rotation at times due to availability but, it also felt like it brought a lot of momentum with the shorter breaks between fixtures. Fair play to all the guys that stepped up when they were called upon.

“As a coaching team, we now just prepare as well as we can, make sure the guys are ready for the occasion and just look forward to it really.”

Njunge added: “As is the case with all teams, across various leagues, players and coaches give up so much time and effort to do what we do because we really care about it. Otherwise, to be fair, you probably wouldn’t be crazy enough to come back the following season and do it all again.

“For us it would be special to do it for everyone that’s put in so much effort, work and sacrifice into the club to tirelessly continue to drive it forward.

“It would be really special to do it for all of them but, we can’t think too far ahead. We’ve got to focus on the games first. Its going to be really tough opposition in Britwell but, all we can do is give it our all and we will see at the end of the day where we end up.”

To enter the East Berkshire Football League ahead of the 2022/23 season, or for further information about the league, or an entry form for the upcoming season, please email the team at contactebfl@gmail.com