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PICTURE: Frontline Reserves and Old Windsor Reserves meet in the Semi Finals to the Presidents Cup at Britwell F.C. this Saturday (12.30pm ko).
Frontline Chairman, Imran Bhatti, hopes that reaching the final in the East Berkshire League Presidents Cup would be a great end to a challenging season for the Club.
The Frontline first team started the season well in the Premier Division, emerging as potential challengers to the title early on but, losing their team manager led to a decline in form, finishing fifth in the table.
Frontline Reserves sit fourth-bottom in Division One but that is somewhat of a false position with games in hand on most of the sides above them in the table.
The side was outclassed in defeat to the Old Windsor first team in the Semi Finals of the League Cup last weekend but, meeting the Os’ Reserves is a more realistic route into a Cup final, and a positive end to the campaign.
Bhatti said: “The team is excited and looking forward to the Semi Finals. Having said this, the League Cup Semi Finals last weekend was very demanding. We were forced to make three changes because of injuries, so we’re hoping that players recover in time for the game.
“Old Windsor is a Club with a lot of depth and quality, so we’re expecting a strong, competitive and exciting game against their Reserve side.
“Two Semi Finals in seven days is very demanding but a great achievement. We didn’t really get going last weekend, which was disappointing, but we’ve put that behind us and are focused on this game. Team morale is high and everyone is looking forward to the game and in front of a lot more supporters for both sides.”
PICTURE: Old Windsor Reserves celebrate the first of six goals in a 6-1 win against Chalvey Sports in a Showcase Match at Ascot United earlier this month. PHOTO: Gary House Photography.
Bhatti added: “We reached this stage in 2016 with a young side and went on to win the competition. It would be great to reach the final this season. It’ll give the players that achievement factor and be the perfect way to end a season which has been full of challenges for the Club.”
Old Windsor Reserve team manager Laurence Chetwynd insists his men made a big statement with a high-scoring Showcase Match win two weeks ago, and he wants the Os to carry that form into this Semi Final appearance.
Chetwynd commented: “A few of the lads went to watch Frontline Reserves against our first team last weekend and we know we’ll be in for a tough game. We know they have a good team and plenty of threats all over the pitch.
“As with all competitions, we want to try to win the Presidents Cup. Certainly in my time with Old Windsor, we’ve never won it, so it would be great to try to add some new silverware.
“We’ve really improved in recent weeks and picked up some good results both in the league and Cup competitions. We made a big statement in the last Showcase Match and we want to try and carry that form into the rest of the season.”
The Semi Finals tie is scheduled to take place at Britwell F.C. this Saturday with a 12.30pm kick off, followed by the second Semi Finals match between FC Baylis and Reading Tigers (3pm).
To enter the East Berkshire Football League ahead of the 2023/24 season, or for further information about the league, or an entry form for the upcoming season, please email the team at contactebfl@gmail.com
