VICTORY WILL BE TIP OF THE ICEBERG

MARK STIMSON says success in today’s Ryman North play-off final will taste every bit as sweet as when he created history as the first manager to lift a trophy at the new Wembley.

The Thurrock manager, inset, takes his team to Maldon & Tiptree on Sunday for the right to play in the Ryman Premier next season.

He’s got scores to settle too. Not only were his team thrashed 4-0 at the home of their Essex rivals earlier in the season, but two years ago Thurrock embarrassed themselves in the final when Brentwood Town rolled them over 5-0.

But on their side this time is a manager of real pedigree. A three-time FA Trophy winning boss, the former Stevenage and Grays manager has so much experience to call upon. Winning 1-0 against AFC Hornchurch in midweek, they are now looking to complete the job. “I’ve had some great times in football, I’ve been lucky,” he said. “Winning the first ever competitive game at the new Wembley Stadium is clearly something I’ll always treasure. There’s history attached to it. “But I’ve got to say, winning on Sunday would be up there alongside that. I’ve won twice at Wembley in the Trophy and once at Upton Park as a manager, but this is about a whole season not a one-off occasion. It would be just as good but there’s a big job to do, make no mistake.” After Maldon’s 5-4 win over Haringey Borough, Jammers boss Kevin Horlock admits is feeling “a little drained” after their topsy-turvy semi-final was settled by a stunning 19-minute hat-trick from Liam Nash. “They scored 107 goals this season and we scored 105 so there were always going to be goals in the semi-final,” said the former Manchester City player. “Now it’s about Thurrock. The scoreline flattered us at home. “They’ll be aggressive and physical but they’re going to be a big threat. We’ve got to be all guns blazing.”