Exclusive
Takeley all set for Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy final
Takeley boss Marc Das. Picture by Jamie Pluck - Credit: Archant
When Marc Das took charge of Takeley ahead of this season he immediately targetted silverware; on Easter Monday he could achieve that goal.
His side, who are fourth in the Essex Senior League, are gearing up for Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy final against division rivals Eton Manor.
Preparation for the clash has been slightly disrupted as the opponents for the final changed.
Waltham Forest had won the other semi-final beating Eton Manor 6-5 on a penalty shoot-out having drawn the game 2-2.
However, it was later discovered Forest had fielded an ineligible player and so they were removed from the competition with Manor taking the final place.
On paper that is not the best of news for Takeley as Eton Manor have completed the league double over them this season with a 3-1 home win and a 3-2 victory at Station Road.
Whereas Marc Das’ men defeated Forest 4-1 and 3-0 in encounters last month.
Most Read
- 1 Dunmow Rovers Tigers Under 10s celebrate 'fantastic result'
- 2 New speed check groups to start: Rayne duo share experiences
- 3 RideLondon 5 year plan: 900 object to district road closures
- 4 Outdoor theatre shows for all the family set for the National Trust's Hatfield Forest this summer
- 5 Wins for High Roding, Aythorpe Roding and Dunmow cricketers
- 6 Great Dunmow and High Easter take centre stage as Women's Tour of Britain hits town
- 7 Great Dunmow's Soapbox Race's thrills and spills in pictures
- 8 New Mayors and deputies in Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow
- 9 Iceland offers over 60s discount on shopping bill every week
- 10 High Easter hit Legends with second-half goal blitz
Of the new final opponents, Das said: “It’s a team that has caused us a few problems this season.”
Despite that he told the Broadcast the surface for the final, at Burnham Ramblers’ Leslie Field Stadium, will be his first concern on Monday.
“I will be taking a good look at the pitch when we arrive,” he said.
“As that will determine which side I will start.
“I have a starting line-up in mind, but the pitch will determine that.
“If it is nice and flat I’ll pick a side to go out on the attack, but if it’s not of a sound quality we’ll fill the midfield and look to play on the counter-attack.
“We won 4-0 [against Burnham] on the pitch earlier in the season, so hopefully that bodes well.
“This is what the lads have been looking forward to.
“Unless you win the league you are not remembered for where you finish, but you can do something by lifting a cup.
“It’s great at the end of the season to have something to win, that keeps all the lads together until the end.
“It’s good for us and the club to be in this situation, we have a coach booked, we hope to take a decent support with us and have a good day out and hopefully get the win.”
The final at Burnham Ramblers’ Leslie Field Stadium will kick-off at 3pm.
