Colchester United will take on Redbridge FC in the BBC Essex Senior Cup final on Tuesday 19th March at the Chigwell Construction Stadium in London.
Ahead of the clash, we sat down with Dave Huzzey, who will be in charge of the U’s tomorrow night, and Brad Ihionvien, who is hoping to feature in the prestigious game.
Huzzey on preparation for the final:
“The boys are ready and so are the staff. We watched Redbridge take on Maldon and I went to watch them play against Enfield and Grays, so we paid them the respect they deserve, and we will make sure that we are prepared going into the game.
“I think it's important that we show them the respect they deserve for getting into the final and do our homework, if you like, on them. It's a team that we haven't played before, so it's something we need to be mindful of and make sure we know exactly what their strengths and weaknesses are going into the game.”
Huzzey on difficult squad selection:
“That's a real hard one for us because it all depends on what first team players are available, what U21 players are available due to injury as well. And the U18s who played in that competition have done well for us, so we want to make sure that we have the best team we can on the night. So anyone that's in and around who’s performed well, I'd expect to be involved.”
Huzzey on last year’s heartbreak in the semi-final of the cup:
“Last year hurt because I thought we had a good side and being 2-0 up in the semi-final you expect to go to the final and we didn't.
“It hurt us as staff and it definitely hurt the players because we still speak about it now, which is good. It's a really good learning curve. I actually went to the final last year and experienced it and was just gutted, sitting there looking in, thinking we could have been involved in it. So to be involved in it this year against a good Redbridge side, I'm really looking forward to it.”
You can watch the full interview with Dave Huzzey at the top of the page.
Ihionvien on preparation for the match:
“I've been excited ever since I got into the changing room after the semi-final. I think we're all ready for the game and as I said before, a final is something every one of us wants to play in, so we're ready.
“We’re preparing for the game is as if it were any other game. I think in situations like this you overthink games and that's when it might be weighing on the mind. So I think if you prepare as if you've been there before then the result will come.
Ihionvien on the journey in the tournament:
“I’m really happy to get three goals, two in the last round as well. It could have been three, as we all know, but I’m happy to get three in three.
“And also congratulations to everybody else as well, I only played three out of four, so for all of us to get all the way here is really good.”
Ihionvien on some cold and tough nights on the way to the final:
“Especially the game against Walthamstow, it was a tough night, freezing, the toes were cold but the resilience from everybody to get through it, not just in the Walthamstow game but all the other ones as well, it was really good. We're excited to be here and as a reward for that resilience you get to play in the final.”
You can watch the full interview with Brad above.
