Barkingside play Dagenham & Redbridge in Essex Senior Cup and boss Matt Frew has told them to catch the eye

Barkingside manager Matt Frew is looking forward to tonight’s Essex Senior Cup clash with League Two Dagenham & Redbridge and admits it is an opportunity for some of his players to put themselves in the shop window.

Daggers have a reputation for signing players from the non-league scene and recently brought Chatham Town’s Ade Yusuff, who actually missed a penalty against Side last season in the Ryman North.

And Frew believes it is a chance for his players to impress on the big stage and he wants them to enjoy the occasion.

He said: “It is massive for the football club and we are looking forward to it.

“We will have a lot of people down watching, probably some people scouting my players no doubt but we just need to enjoy the occasion.

“It sounds funny me saying it but it is a good time to put yourself in the shop window.

“Dagenham signed a forward from our division so if some of my players put in a great performance tonight they could catch the eye.

“They just need to go out and enjoy themselves and not go into their shell. At the end of the day it is just another football match.”

Side boss Frew admitted he had heard rumours that Daggers first team striker Rhys Murphy was going to be involved this evening at Victoria Road.

He expects Wayne Burnett to pick a side that has a mixture of reserve and youth team players as well as some first team stars.

“It is amazing and it is probably the highlight of my short managerial career,” admitted Frew.

“I don’t think we will ever play against a team or in a ground as high as this. We are underdogs and people will look and say we will get beat but it is a cup game so anything could happen.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it was half and half and there were a few more first team players from them.

“It is a great night for the boys and if I was playing and I knew Rhys Murphy was starting I would be pumped up for the match.”

Barkingside go into the game following Saturday’s 1-1 league draw with Brightlingsea Regent.

Matty Gulfer gave them the lead after nine minutes before Jake Holman equalised shortly afterwards and Frew was slightly disappointed not to take all three points.

He added: “It would have been nice to walk away with three points but we can’t grumble too much.

“We could have got the points had our final ball been better and their keeper has pulled off two great saves from our chances.”