Pitchero Non League

Darren Guirey

.....the biggest match in the Ryman League Division One South club's history.

The Anvils travel to Brighton`s Amex Stadium on Saturday to take on league rivals Whitehawk in the Sussex Senior Cup final, and Guirey admits many of his players will not have an opportunity like this again. "Without a doubt it is the biggest game ever for Crawley Down," he said. "We are all looking forward to and, win or lose, it will be a great day out and an experience that most of the players will never have again. To play at a stadium like that.

"We are going into the game as massive underdogs but it is all about how we perform on the day. While it is still 0-0 we have a chance."

And while Crawley Down rarely have crowds of more than 100 for league games at the Haven Centre, Guirey is anticipating a considerable increase on Saturday.

"I think we have 600 or 700 coming which is fantastic," the manager enthused. "There are four or five coaches coming from the club and I think the players alone have sold 200-odd tickets.

"It is going to be a fantastic experience playing at a ground like the Amex and everyone's friends and families are coming."

The Anvils may be underdogs going into the clash against recently crowned Ryman South champions Whitehawk, but Guirey has confidence in his side.

"When we played Whitehawk in the league I felt we matched them at their place," he said. "There wasn't much in it and we were unlucky to come away with nothing.

"There is no doubt they are a great side though. They have two or three players who were at professional clubs last season and obviously have more resources available."

It has been a great first season in the Ryman South for Crawley Down and Guirey believes the Sussex Senior Cup final is the icing on the cake.

"It was a hard transition from the County League, it really opened my eyes up," Guirey admitted. "We had a rubbish start to the season, losing game after game, but we made the changes and ended up finishing comfortably in the league and getting to the cup final on top of that.

"After running away with the County League I thought my squad would compete in the Ryman, but the gulf was an eye opener. Only three of those players are still at the club. I had to strengthen just to stay up."

However, the Anvils are determined to put the hard season behind them on Saturday and enjoy their day in the spotlight.

"We have the home dressing room which is nice. I'm going to sit in there and pretend I'm Gus Poyet!" Guirey joked.

Tags: News | Crawley Down

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