Skenfrith keyed up for cup battle (From Free Press Series)

Skenfrith keyed up for cup battle

SKENFRITH United assistant coach and player Nick Oxford has said his men have nothing to fear this Saturday when they face cup favourites and Division One title challengers Pencombe in the quarter finals of the HFA Cup.

Despite being the underdogs, Oxford reckons drawing a Division One side in the last eight of this year's competition could work in their favour.

"The good thing for us is they won't try and slow us down and stop us playing football. They'll be looking to pass the ball and play football, and that will suit us much better," explained Oxford.

"We won't try and hold on against them. We will try and play some decent football. We will not hold back and look to catch them on the counter.

"We have good enough players to take them on."

This won't be the first time Division Two villagers Skenfrith have faced Pencombe. The side's have met twice before in the cup, including last season's epic extra-time defeat when Skenfrith went down 5-4.

"We've always competed well against them. That extra-time defeat was with a weakened Skennie team and we've beaten them before, so we know we're capable enough," insisted Oxford.

He's likely to line-up in the heart of the defence with Ian Jones and Gerry Pound as Skenfrith stick to the 3-5-2 formation that has served them so well this season.

And the side remains on course for double cup glory this year with a place in the final of the Ross Cup also up for grabs later this month.

Skenfrith's preparations were given the ideal helping hand over the weekend with their league game at home to Hereford Civil Service cancelled because of a flooded pitch.

"It was a pity because we had a very strong squad available to play," said Oxford. "We definitely would have preferred to have played.

"We had a couple of lads coming back from injury, so it would have been good to have given them a run-out."

Instead, the side did some gym work ahead of this Saturday's quarter-final tie, as all eyes turn to a place in the semi-finals.

"They've got a bit of trip to come down to us, so hopefully they'll be a little tired. The chance is there and we're definitely capable of turning them over.

"Hopefully we can do just that," said Oxford.

Saturday's game kicks off at Skenfrith at 2pm.