Takeley fully focussed on Essex Senior League Cup quarter-final

Takeley boss Alex Martin will have a well-rested squad ahead of Tuesday’s Essex Senior League Cup quarter-final.

Come next week’s last eight home clash with Wadham Lodge, Martin’s side will have gone two weeks without a game due to postponements and no game scheduled for this weekend.

After seeing Tuesday’s trip to Bowers & Pitsea and Saturday’s game with London Bari both called off, the former Bishop’s Stortford player told the Broadcast: “It’s a bit of a horrible time football-wise with the postponed games and waterlogged pitches.

“We still trained on Saturday, will have a get together Thursday and I’m planning a bonding session this Saturday.”

Takeley’s previous outing was the 2-0 second round success over Greenhouse Sports on February 16 to reach the last eight.

The competition is now at the forefront of the club’s ambitions.

“We have the quarter-final and it has to be one of the priorities with the chance to make a semi-final,” said the player-manager.

“We know we’d have a tough game if we got there, but in one-off cup football anything can happen.”

The winners of the tie would travel to third in the table side Basildon United to do battle for a final spot.

The second semi-final is already known with league leaders FC Romania hosting mid-table Burnham Rambers.

Martin has adopted an attacking style of play since taking interim charge of the club and his bold approach has been rewarded with three wins, three draws and just one defeat in seven games.

The Wadham Lodge clash will see the hosts use their now tested approach.

“We are still going to go out and go for the win,” Martin said.

“Wadham Lodge are one of the best footballing teams in the league on their day, but we will have the same ethic of getting at them.”

“We are hopeful to get the game in on Tuesday, if not it will have been two weeks without a game and after a couple of decent results you want to keep the momentum going.”