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PICTURE: Singh Sabha are perenial winners in the East Berkshire League and auxilary Cup competitions but, will have to be at their very best to beat an improving Frontline side in the Showcase Match on Friday night and launch another Premier Division title bid this season. PHOTO: Gary House Photography.
Singh Sabha manager Huggy Sandhu knows his team will have to be at their best to beat rivals Frontline in the East Berkshire League Showcase Match on Friday night.
Sabha made a welcome return to the East Berkshire League this season and, despite missing some key players, especially in the goalkeeper position, are the nearest pursuers to Premier Division leaders, Old Windsor.
Sandhu admits the title race might now be out of their hands having battled The Os twice already this season but, his charges will keep on chasing the pace right up until the end of the campaign.
He explained: “The season has been a little bit stop-start for us. Despite being in a healthy position in the league we’ve not really hit the high expectations we set out for the club.
“We’re pleased to be able to get a team out every weekend and fulfil or fixtures as well as compete but, we’ve lost players to other teams at a higher level as well as to side in the East Berkshire League.
“We lost a few games earlier in the season which, in previous years we wouldn’t have but, it comes down to our players’ commitments. We’ve not been able to get a consistent side out weekly and one issue has been not having a regular goalkeeper.
“We do need to improve on a lot of aspects in our game, especially in defence where we’ve leaked a lot of goals but again this has come down to not having a regular keeper. We’ve used around five different outfield players in goal this year. And our defence is generally filled with players playing out of position.
PICTURE: Frontline take on Singh Sabha in the EBFL Showcase Match at the 1878 Stadium in Burnham on Friday night (7.30pm). Tickets can be purchased online now at - https://tktp.as/ERVAGB
“I’m proud of the boys on how they’ve still gone about the season. We’re able to compete weekly against any opponent and score lots of goals. We will keep on fighting until the end of the season and look to finish as high as possible in the league, and be there to fight for the Cup competitions.”
Singh Sabha head into the Showcase Match currently five points behind Premier Division leaders, Old Windsor, and having played a game more than the pace setters. Sabha fell to a 2-1 defeat at Old Windsor on 9th September before the two sides drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture three weeks later.
Sabha have not clashed with rivals Frontline since May 2022, a 4-2 win in the Premier Division, which preceded a 4-0 win in October 2021. In fact, Singh Sabha have not tasted defeat at the hands of Frontline in any of the past seven East Berkshire League seasons.
Sandhu, however, will know his team will have to keep out Frontline talisman Imran Kassim, who has fired in eight goals in 14 appearances so far this season.
Sandhu commented: “Old Windsor are flying in the League this season and well done to them but, again there is a few teams that can definitely challenge them. We are just happy to keep on going and try our best to challenge and put pressure on.
“We’ve played Old Windsor twice now so it’s out of our hands but, there is a lot more quality in this division now and anyone can slip up at any time. We have to be ready for that moment. The main focus for us is to keep on giving our best in every game we play and to keep on winning, and we will see at the end of the season where it puts us.”
Tickets are selling fast for the Showcase Match at the 1878 Stadium, home of Burnham Football Club, this Friday night (7.30pm kick off) and Sandhu is sure it will be an entertaining game between two free-scoring sides.
PICTURE: Singh Sabha proudly sporting their new kit earlier in the season.
He predicted: The Showcase Match is always a great occasion to show everyone what the club is about, and it gives the players an opportunity to show their talent to the league as well as all the people watching. t’s a good game for the League to Showcase because it’s between two clubs that have scored a lot of goals this season and I’m sure it will be an entertaining game.
“It will have no bearing on the title race as there’s still over half a season to go and there is a lot of teams in the mix that can go on a run and climb up the table and fight for the title. For both teams, a win would of course put them in a good position, but a defeat does not mean the race is over.
“Frontline are having a great season and are a team full of talented players who are finally showing their quality and really making a statement. They will try to play football and make it a very entertaining game for the neutral.
“For us, every game and every team we play can be classified as rivals as everyone wants to beat us. We’re happy to have this opportunity to play in a Showcase Mach and, if we play at our best, we will get a positive result.
“We have had a friendly rivalry with Frontline over the years but, never really been title rivals as both clubs have always been on the opposite side of the table. They’ve now improved this season and a lot of credit to them. A few of our players from previous years have joined them, so I can definitely see them moving forward and being a challenger in the East Berkshire League.”
Sandhu added: “We would like to take the League again for giving us this opportunity to play in the Showcase Match, and it gives all our supporters the chance to come down and get behind the side.
“We are also looking forward to our youth team players coming to watch their seniors, and it’s always a proud moment having young and aspiring footballers to put on a show for them. One day, we hope, they can have this opportunity to represent Singh Sabha inside a stadium.”
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
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