Underdogs gunning for cup glory

The Blues - fifth from bottom in Division One of the Sussex League - start as underdogs against title outsiders Crowborough Athletic at Ringmer FC's Caburn Ground on Friday April 6 (kick-off 11am), but joint boss Laskey feels his players have nothing to fear.

"If we don't show them too much respect then I think we will be alright," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. The final is a one-off game and if we perform as I know we can then we have got a great chance."

The teams met only last Monday in the league when The Crows won 1-0 with a late goal from Simon Colbran, but Sidley should really have come away with at least a point.

Laskey, who in tandem with Keith Miles has steered the team to the club's first John O'Hara final since the 2001 double-winning exploits, expects to name a side very similar to the one that played earlier in the week.

There might be a couple of changes, however, because both Mark Funnell and Darren Witham come back into contention. Jimmy Watson and Jordan Wood are definitely out.

"It should be fairly evenly matched," Laskey went on. "All Keith and I want to do is install as much belief as we can."

After the excitement of the cup final Sidley return to the bread and butter of league football on Easter Monday with a home match against Wick (kick-off 12 noon). The following Wednesday they make the short trip to Rye United (kick-off 7.30pm).