Manager wants the same again from final
FC STRATFORD boss Jon Hill is hoping for a repeat performance when his side take on Cradley Town in the final of the Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium on Tuesday.
And although the team have just missed out on the Hellenic Division One play-offs, Hill hopes to sign off by retaining the trophy they won 12 months ago.
He said: “It’s been a long hard season but we’re looking for it to end in the best possible way.
“We had probably the best day in our club’s history there last season and we want to do our absolute best to make it happen again and create some more memories for everyone involved in FC Stratford.”
A 5-0 victory over Wednesfield – with all the goals coming in the first half – saw Hill’s side storm to victory but he acknowledges that Tuesday’s final could be a tight contest.
He added: “It was 5-0 by half-time last year which was nothing short of exceptional. We have done our homework on Cradley just as we did with Wednesfield last year, and that will mean we are prepared as well as we can be.
“It is set to be a very tight and physical encounter but I’m hopeful that the players can use the experience of last year to recreate the same outcome.
“Walsall has some great memories for us and we want to go there and be on the front foot from the off. We have a sprinkling of new players but the key thing is that we still have the core of lads who had such a great final last year and they know how much it means to the club. Those memories have definitely spurred them on.”
FC Stratford’s final home league game saw them lose 3-1 to Newent Twon which ended their outside play-off chances with one game to go – at Newent on 27th April.
Hill added: “It has been a tough season where we’ve learnt a lot about the character of players. We have missed out on the play-offs which was a massive disappointment for us, but it’s been a season where we have major injuries to players throughout and we’ve not been able to field the same side in consecutive games since August. Now that we are coming to the end of the season we are pretty much at full strength.
“When you have those sort of constant changes then it becomes quite difficult. Last year, the key to our success was the consistency.
“We are looking to keep the core of the side together for next season and continue to build on the great team spirit which we believe is the key to why we have been successful. We know we will need a couple of new players but those who have come in this season have now bedded in.”
