The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Nothing to lose and nothing to prove as city rep team head down to Dorset
Football - Quarter-final time in the National Inter-League Cup
The history-making Peterborough & District League representative squad have nothing to prove and nothing to lose in their toughest test yet.
That’s the message from manager Darren Fogg as he prepares to send his select side into battle in the quarter-finals of the FA Inter-League Cup this Saturday.
The local stars have a long trek ahead of them as they take on the Dorset County League at Sherborne Town FC.
And while Fogg and his players would naturally love to continue their journey, he is already thrilled with their efforts in simply making the last eight.
“I’m extremely proud of all the players who have helped the rep team make history by reaching the quarter-finals,” said Fogg.
“Nobody expected us to get this far and despite all the criticism the players and myself received early on, we can hold our heads high.
“We have nothing to prove and nothing to lose as we head into the biggest game in the history of the rep team.
“The Dorset County League has a great pedigree in this competition and also put us out five years ago.
“We know we’ll be facing a very strong side and they will also know plenty about us after travelling up to watch us in the last round.
“They were very taken with our excellent team spirit which was certainly a huge part in us getting the winner in extra-time after going down to 10 men.
“We will all need to be at our very best to stand a chance of winning the quarter-final, but it’s a challenge we’re all relishing.
“We’ve done very well defensively in the previous two rounds and that will definitely be necessary again.
“Anything can happen in a one-off game.
“We’ll assess the opposition in the opening 20 minutes and the aim is to then still be in the game with 20 minutes to go.
“I know the lads will enjoy themselves and do the league proud.”
The Peterborough & District League side beat the Suffolk & Ipswich League 4-1 in the opening round back in September and then followed up with a 2-1 triumph after extra-time against the Herts
Senior League in the second round.
Defender Jack Mockford is now suspended after being dismissed in the latter victory while a number of other players are also missing.
Influential midfielder Billy King is injured while Joe Townsend (one of the scorers against the Herts Senior League), Chris Down, Stuart Eason, Jake Clitheroe, Kieran Hamilton and Lewis McManus are all unavailable.
That has led to several new call-ups with Fogg drafting in Long Sutton centre-back Thomas Leader, Peterborough North End Sports midfielder Ethan Atkins and Stamford Lions attacking duo Tom Edwards and Luke Ball.
Fogg may also make a couple of further additions before the trip, but the return of Moulton Harrox forward ace Declan Earth, who struck twice in the opening round against the Suffolk & Ipswich League, has provided a major boost.
Earth then missed the second round due to a wedding, but is now available again.