'Massive headache' for Bildeston boss
BILDESTON Rangers player-manager David ‘Bart’ Lorimer has got a ‘massive headache’ ahead of the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Final.
Lorimer has to decide whether to stick with Chris Cowan, whose two goals direct from corners in the semi-final set up Bank Holiday Monday’s meeting with Lakenheath, or recall George Buxton.
Cowan grabbed his chance with both hands to settle the last-four tie against holders Ipswich Wanderers at Claydon FC, after being handed his place in the starting line-up in Buxton’s absence. Cowan's first goal from a corner on the left is pictured above eluding goalkeeper Craig Brand and entering the Ipswich Wanderers' net. Photograph: Paul Voller
Buxton received two yellow cards in the 2-0 quarter-final win against Trimley Red Devils and will be hoping to get the nod for Monday’s showpiece occasion at The New Croft in Haverhill, kick-off 12 noon.
“It’s a massive headache, but the type of headache any manager would want,” said Lorimer ahead of leading the Macron SIL Senior Division side into their first Senior Cup Final.
Lorimer is also waiting on the fitness of left-back Stu Brooks, who was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up shortly before kick-off against Wanderers due to a hamstring injury.
Kalum Benham, who came on for the injured Brooks at Trimley, was ill the night before the semi-final, so Sam Sharp stepped in and had a ‘blinder’ in the eyes of his manager.
Looking ahead to the final Lorimer said: “It hasn’t fully sunk in. When we reached the Junior Cup Final two years ago we thought it was a massive achievement because we had never got that far in the competition.
“You look at the Senior Cup Final, with the likes of Achilles, Ipswich Wanderers and Whitton United playing in it, and you never picture yourself being involved, unless you are playing for one of those big clubs.
“So I don’t think it has sunk in. I have received messages from people I haven’t spoken to for years and from people I hardly know, saying what a big achievement it is for the club.
“As a little club we have got to take it in our stride and not let it go to our heads.”
Lorimer is more than happy to be cast in the role of underdogs against a side who will be playing in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division next season.
He said: “I have not seen Lakenheath play, but I have seen videos on Youtube and also spoken to friends I have who are involved in the Thurlow Nunn League. I have received some good information which might help us.
“We don’t know much about them and they don’t know much about us. On paper they play at a higher level than us, so it will be another good test to see how we fare against a team that are going to be playing in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division next season and we are looking forward to it.
“Everyone loves an underdog story and we like going into games as underdogs when we have more to prove.
“We are expecting a good level of support. We had people who said they could not make it to the semi-final saying they will be there at the final.”
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