Headache for Brown (From Free Press Series)

Headache for Brown

SKENFRITH United manager Paul Brown is confident his side can win this Monday's Ross Cup Final against arch rivals Western.

But the Skennie chief has his fingers firmly crossed, hoping his squad comes out of Saturday's league game against Hereford Civil Service unscathed, otherwise his dreams of cup glory could be over before a ball has even been kicked.

Brown has a massive headache ahead of him with four of his players facing the prospect of three games in three days, because of an unrelenting fixture list.

United do battle against Hereford Civil Service this Saturday, in their last home game of the season, before players Anthony Wigmore Andrew Morris, Jerry Pound and Steve Phippes trot out in the Sunday League with local side Orcop.

It's 180 minutes of bruising football that Brown could well do without before Monday's Bank Holiday cup-final.

"It's far from ideal," admitted United's chief. "I have a full squad at the moment and I want it to stay that way after the weekend. I'm just praying we don't get any injuries before Monday."

United have prepared well for their cup-final showdown against Western with a comfortable 5-0 win over bottom club Fownhope on Saturday - their tenth clean sheet of the season.

"We've been rock-solid this year with our defence," said Brown. "I'd say it's the best defence we've ever had.

"They've been so instrumental this season and made a real impact out on the field."

Brown also hopes defenders Ian Jones, Pound, Nick Oxford, Anthony Jackson and Phippes prove just as solid again on Monday in the cup encounter with Western. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry, with odds evenly balanced between them.

Both sides have beaten each other once this season, and at this stage of the competition before - Western winning the most recent two seasons ago.

Brown has a sneaking suspicion Monday will be his side's day. "I think we will do it," he assured. "If we keep a strong front-line, hit the back of the net and keep the rest of our game solid, then we can do it."

Saturday's game at home to Hereford Civil Service kicks-off at 2.30pm. The Ross Cup Final against Western at the Ross Civil Service Ground this Bank Holiday Monday kicks off at 11am.