Frew ready to face Brantham

The FA Cup could be just the welcome tonic for Barkingside and manager Matt Frew hopes his side can use the competition to spark an upturn in fortunes.

Side travel to Eastern Counties outfit Brantham Athletic on Saturday, who knocked out Essex Senior League side Stansted 6-1 in a replay, and are undefeated in their opening three league games.

Frew knows it will be tough, but after suffering back-to-back defeats in the Ryman League is hoping his side can bounce back and secure much-needed prizemoney for the club, with the winners receiving £1,925.

“The quicker Saturday comes the better because it’s the only way I can heal this is by getting back on a football pitch with the boys and getting a win under our belts and then you forget about it,” said Frew.

“It’s about trying to get back to winning ways and it’s good to generate a bit of money. At this club we do everything for nothing so it’ll be good to have a nice little cup run and hopefully we can do that by bouncing back on Saturday.

“It’ll be a hard game, I don’t really know too much about them but they drew 3-3 with Stanway, who we were beaten by a pre-season friendly and were a good side.

“It isn’t going to be easy and I am not going to take them lightly but we’ll go there and give it our best shot. I am sure all the boys are down in the dumps now but they’ll brush themselves down.”

One player who will be available to Frew is defender Rob Cooper, and the Side boss is delighted to have him back, though two other key players in Richard Oxby and Joe Ellul remain on the sidelines.

“Those three players make a massive difference to this team,” he added.

“The quicker I can get them back the better. Joe and Oxby are a couple of weeks away and Dave Cooper is thankfully available as of Saturday.

“I have to make decisions on players and I am always looking to improve the team, but it’s so hard when you haven’t got a reserve team to keep them all happy.”

? The club do have a coach going to the game on Saturday for anyone interested, priced at £12. It will depart Oakside at 11.30am, and to book your seat contact chairman Jimmy Flanagan on 07956 894194.