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PICTURE: Old Windsor F.C. Reserves manager Laurence Chetwynd has praised his team's toughness and attitude in reaching the 2024 Presidents Cup Final, and he hopes that the Os will go one better than defeat in the showpiece event last season.
Old Windsor Reserves manager Laurence Chetwynd has praised his team’s toughness and attitude ahead of the Presidents Cup Final on Saturday.
The Os take on Stoke Poges Reserves in the 2024 Final at the award-winning 1878 Stadium in Burnham this Saturday (3pm kick off) and are out to go one better than last year when beaten in the Final at the hands of F.C. Baylis United.
Chetwynd explained that his stars are out to make up for missing out on the trophy 12 months ago this time around, and have had the chance to refocus and rally together after a recent heavy defeat to Sandhurst Royals.
“The Presidents Cup is always high on our list as it’s a competition all teams outside of the Premier Division can realistically win,” explained the Old Windsor manager. “We want to win every game and Cup competition we’re in as well. Losing the Final last year made us want to make up for that this season.
“We want to win every competition but, yes, losing in the Cup Final last year was disappointing. Baylis United played very well on the day but, I think all of the players know they left a little bit out on the pitch and want to make that right this time.
“We’ve been in good form and bounce back well after a disappointing result against Sandhurst. Defeats like that help to give a squad the chance to rally together and re-focus on finishing the season strongly.
“We’ve won two of the previous rounds in the Presidents Cup on penalties. In the first one we fought back from 3-1 down away at KS Gryf, and the second was a great defensive performance to hold off South Reading, who have been a top side this season. We could have lost either game, and so it’s a credit to the toughness and attitude of our squad that we’ve got through to the Cup Final.”
PICTURE: Old Windsor Reserves take on Stoke Poges Reserves in the Presidents Cup Final at the 1878 Stadium in Burnham on Saturday (3pm). You can pre-purchase tickets for the Final here - https://tktp.as/EOSIXV.
Old Windsor have been a dominant force in the East Berkshire League as a football club this season. The first team has already done the Slough Town Premier Cup and League Cup double, and are within one point from winning the Premier Division title as well. The Os first string have also reached the Final in the Ascot & Fielden District Charity Cup, beating the Reserve team en route.
The Presidents Cup Final however, will shine the spotlight on the Reserves side and Chetwynd would be proud to see his stars go one better this time around and win the competition.
“It would mean a lot to us,” he commented. “We’ve had a good season across the whole club but, most of the limelight has been on the first team and this is a chance for the reserve players to show how good they all are as well. We haven’t won the Presidents Cup for over 30 years, so it would be a big boost for the football club.
“I would be very proud of this group if we can win the Presidents Cup. It’s been a long season and will make all the efforts of, not just me but the whole management group, worthwhile.
“We hope that all our supporters will turn up and enjoy the match, support our lads and, hopefully, we can bring this one home.”
Old Windsor last won the Presidents Cup competition in the 1990-91 season when now Club Secretary, Gary Wade, played and scored in the Final.
Old Windsor Reserves have been in cracking form this season, pushing for the Division One title in an enthralling race with new rivals, South Reading. The Os have won in 18 of their 21 league matches and currently lead the race for the title by five points although their Reading rivals have played three games fewer.
The Os were on a 15-match winning streak in the league, dating back to 9 September, before their march for the title was halted abruptly by a crashing 6-0 defeat at home to Sandhurst Royals two weeks ago. The team has regained the winning thread since with home success over both AFC Reading and Berks Elite to arrive into the Presidents Cup Final with confidence renewed.
Chetwynd and his troops will also be buoyed by an impressive history in matches against Stoke Poges Reserves having won in all five of the previous meetings dating back to 2015, and scoring 31 goals in the process.
“We always enjoy good games with Stoke Poges,” the gaffer explained. “They’ll be solid at the back and a big danger on the break. We know that we have weapons in attack of our own, so we expect to cause them plenty of problems ourselves.
“You can read nothing into previous results in a Cup Final. It’s all about which team handles the occasion best on the day and I expect a tight and nervous game.”
Sean Blandford could be the main danger for Old Windsor Reserves in the Presidents Cup Final having scored an impressive 37 goals in 25 appearances so far this season. He has already bagged three goals in two previous games against Stoke Poges this term. Blandford has also hit the target in previous rounds against KS Gryf and AFC Reading.
Sam Thomson will also be a serious threat to Stoke Poges. He has found a route to goal 15 times in 22 matches in this campaign.
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
