Preparations are being made
for the Essex County Football Association's showpiece cup event,
the FansFocus.Com Essex Senior Cup Final, and the men in charge of
Chelmsford City and Southend United have initiated their sparring
ahead of Tuesday night's 7:45pm kick-off at Roots Hall.
The two sides meet for a 1st April showdown and Dean Austin,
Reserve Team Manager at United who will be in charge of the Blues
on the night, is aware of the threat in-form City will present to
his inexperienced but talented outfit: "We played Chelmsford
in pre-season and, without a doubt, this will be the hardest game
we'll have had to play in the competition," he states.
"Jeff King and Glenn Pennyfather are well known names around
our club and their team will provide a very stern test. They won't
need geeing-up for the match and we're expecting a very tough
game."
Meanwhile, Clarets boss King is looking forward to the tie
immensely: "It's certainly the dream final as far as the
competition is concerned, with two of the best-supported teams
involved," he beamed, knowing his team's Blue Square South
ambitions are about to be realised in the County Town next season
after effectively securing promotion from the Ryman League Premier
Division at a canter. "There should be a large crowd at Roots
Hall and it's a big occasion. We love the fact the club is finally
getting a bit of success."
United supporters have been allocated the Southend Echo East Stand
for this final, whilst City fans are to be given the Essex Auto
Group West Stand. Ticket prices for the game have been set by the
E.C.F.A. as £8 for adults, £4 for seniors and £1 for under 16s
and will be available on the night (Chelmsford fans from the West
Stand Ticket Office and Blues supporters from the Main Ticket
Office) although advance purchases are recommended to avoid the
need to queue twice before the match.
Southend supporters can still buy these on a first-come,
first-served basis from the Blues Box Office (08444) 77 00 77,
whilst Chelmsford fans can drop by at their club headquarters
during office hours to get hold of theirs. There is also a limited
amount of corporate hospitality available in the Executive Suites
only. This is priced at £350+ V.A.T. for a box for ten persons.
Full details can be obtained from Brian Wheeler on (01702) 304133
or by E-Mailing commercial@southend-united.co.uk.
Furthermore, the whole match will be streamed live by B.B.C. Essex
via the Internet in a major boost for the competition. The
official media partners of the Senior Cup will provide full match
commentary via their website at www.bbc.co.uk/essex.
Chelmsford will hand a young mascot the opportunity to walk out
with them onto the hallowed turf prior to the game. Ten-year old
Bradley Childs from Perryfields Primary School is looking forward
to meeting players from both teams in the tunnel, naming Ricky
Holmes as his favourite while his other team is Alan Curbishley's
West Ham United.
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