Wendron United Manager Michael O'Neill insisted his side have nothing to lose in the first-ever Cornwall Senior Cup final on Easter Monday.
United will face South West Peninsula League Premier West champions Falmouth Town in the final which is being played at St Austell's Poltair Park.
Speaking to the Packet, O'Neill declared that Dron have their eyes set on the trophy. He said: "I am really proud that we have got there. Getting there is one thing but that's the penultimate step. We want to turn up to win, otherwise, there is no point in being there.
"It's like a boxer, no boxer ever goes in expecting to get beat. I know we are the underdogs, and I know the expectation is against us but it has been for the majority of the season so that is nothing new for the lads. I am proud that we are there, it is going to be a good day and one hopefully where we will do ourselves justice."
The teams have met twice this season with Town winning on both occasions 2-0 and 5-2 respectively. Many will see Wendron as underdogs but this O'Neill has heard it all before: "We have got nothing to lose. We have been underdogs in pretty much every game this season if you believe in things you see and read.
"It is no different for us, I don't think it helps or gives us a disadvantage in one way or another. Whatever way we look at it I try and make sure we are using whatever position we are in to our advantage and do the best we can."
Wendron progressed to the final by producing a superb all-round performance to defeat Western League outfit Saltash United 3-1 in the previous round.
Jack Stocker's well-placed strike and Charlie Young's goal-scoring instinct to pounce on a goalkeeping mistake had Dron two to the good at the interval.
In the second half, Cameron Wheat added a third following yet another blunder from the Saltash gloveman. Although the Ashes grabbed a reply from Sam Farrant later in the half the Wendron defence stood strong to secure the memorable victory. O'Neill believes that his side can take confidence from that terrific display.
📰REPORT: @WendronUtdAFC produced a superb display as they defeated Western League outfit Saltash United to progress to the Senior Cup final. Read more: 👇🏻https://t.co/ZHF0zgA8Uf pic.twitter.com/yvdG8wTwh4
— Tom Harris (@packet_tom) March 16, 2022
"It gives us massive confidence, Saltash are a really good side." He began.
"Particularly in the first half of that semi-final we were excellent. We had to show a different element of ourselves in the second half, of course, it give us confidence but the main thing is that Falmouth aren't Saltash. They'll be a completely different proposition to the team we faced in the semi-final. That isn't any worse or better it is just a case that they are different sides.
"When Falmouth go up next year, they aren't going to be a struggling team in that league at all. I don't think I'm alone in that opinion. I think it is hard to draw the thought of beating a Western league top-six side is all well and good that must make you more favourites to beat someone in your own league.
"I don't think that's fair on ourselves, Falmouth or Saltash with how competitive local football can be particularly in cup games. We definitely took confidence from our semi-final, we are fully deserving of our place in the final and I want to make sure the lads know that and aren't overawed by the occasion."
The Dron had been on a run of eight wins on the trot before losing 1-0 to Dobwalls in their last outing. They didn't have a game on Good Friday which has allowed extra time to prepare for Monday's match.
"Preparation is alright, Saturday's result wasn't ideal we were relatively solid we just didn't take many chances that we created on the day." O'Neill said. "There were elements that I was really happy with. The form before that, the eight wins in a row, that's what I want to draw on, that belief heading into the final.
"In terms of preparation time it is swings and roundabouts, if we had a game on Friday it would have been more tricky to manage it in terms of people avoiding injuries but also striking that balance of trying to win the game as well.
"In a sense, it might be a little bit of an advantage but the disadvantage is was last Saturday was the last opportunity we had to see anyone play so we now have all the preparation to do on the training ground and we won't get to see that until the game itself. We are at the tail end of the season now, so it is not like we are going to be doing anything drastic.
"We will be prepared, we will be ready and hopefully with a strong squad who will be firing on all cylinders on Monday."
The gaffer confirmed that he will have a fully fit squad to call on for the cup final. But added that the fixture will be a different battle compared to matches between the sides earlier in the campaign: "I don't think there is going to be any great surprises between the way the sides shape up.
"As teams, we have both evolved over the season. The team that Falmouth played on the opening day and back in November isn't the side that will play on Monday and vice versa with us.
"The dynamics of the season have changed since then. We know quite a lot about each other but I don't think you are going to see the same sort of mentalities that we have seen in the last two games we have played against each other."
Kick-off in the Cornwall Senior Cup final on Easter Monday is at 2 pm at Poltair Park. Fans are advised to arrive early and book their tickets online to avoid congestion. If the game is level at full time the match will be separated by extra time and if necessary penalties.
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