Manor looking to land cup glory against Southend
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| Action from Manor's semi-final victory over Barking |
ETON Manor coach Ged White will be hoping it is third time lucky in Saturday's Essex Senior Cup final against Southend.
The 51-year-old former Saracens coach has been in charge at the New Wilderness club since 2005 after switching from local rivals Woodford, who he guided to Eastern Counties Cup and Essex County Cup finals during his reign with the Highams men.
On both those occasions Woodford came up short, and while White knows Manor will be massive underdogs against the National Two outfit he has great confidence in his troops.
A convincing 34-8 victory over National Three side Barking in the semi-finals a fortnight ago proved the amateurs can hold their own against the professionals, and Manor will be looking for another upset at their New Wilderness home in Nutter Lane, Wanstead this weekend.
"We know it is going to be very tough game for us to win, " stated White
"They are a professional set-up, so will have some very good players in their ranks, but they have got everything to lose.
"We on the other hand can go out and enjoy ourselves, although we certainly wont be there just to make up the numbers. We also have some very talented players in our team so there is every chance we can pull off another upset in a one off game.
"Personally I've been to two finals in the past when I was at Woodford and while we lost both those games, the players all took great pride in actually getting there.
"Hopefully though it will be third time lucky for me in this final, but it would mainly be good for the club to win, because it is about 20 years since it had any cup success."
White is confident of having a number of key players back from injury, who were forced to sit out the 7-29 weekend defeat against Letchworth Garden City.
Meanwhile holders Southend, who aw off Thurrock in last season's final are expecting a tough game.
And coach Kevin Harman is keen for the Seasiders to retain their trophy.
"It's a competition it would be great to go and win again and that's what we want to go and do tomorrow," he said.
"We have made a few changes to the team but it's a still a strong side and one that is certainly capable of going to Eton Manor and getting the right result."
Harman has opted to shake up his starting line-up and has handed several of the club's fringe players an opportunity to impress, along with a number of promising youngsters.
Gary Smith will captain the side, while winger Tyson Lewis will also be given a run-out in a team which includes Chris Green, Simon Hoult and Daniel Legge.
They will need to be on form and Harman is expecting a tough test against Manor.
"Eton Manor will be fielding a very strong side and they will be fired up to beat us," said Harman.
"It will be hard but if we approach it in the right way we can definitely win."
8:37am Friday 4th April 2008
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