Sandhurst Town star Liam Ollive admits it is a dream come true that his team can showcase their talents to a big crowd inside a football stadium this Saturday.
Sandhurst will take on Stoke Poges in what promises to be an enthralling first East Berkshire League Showcase Match of the season at The Racecourse Ground, home to Ascot United F.C. (7pm kick off).
The two sides are top of the table in EBFL Division One, level on points, although Town are at the disadvantage of having played more games than their rivals.
This however, is the first league meeting between the title rivals this season and Ollive is keen to show just how much the team has improved this season, putting their success in this campaign down to their manager, Jordan Goodall.
Ollive said: “I signed right at the start of this club’s journey, just as we were finishing off at Under 17s. At the very beginning, we started off as a few mates putting a team together with little skill and enthusiasm. To see ourselves four years later, being able to show teams what we’re made of, is a dream come true.
“Playing with Sandhurst is more to me than just a team. I’m honoured to play alongside each member and be able to call them my best friends.
“The Showcase Game will be a fantastic chance for me to play alongside my Dad and brother at a stadium, in front of fans. I want to be able to take three points to remember the moment in a positive light.”
The forward, who has scored six league goals in 12 appearances this season, added: “We’re all very grateful to Jordan for being such a dedicated and passionate manager who is always there for us professionally and personally. We couldn’t have asked for anyone better.
“I’m very excited to see how far this team can go and what we will be able to achieve in the near future. I’m excited to see where this season takes us, and want to be able to help bring the club great success. A trophy this year is the aim definitely.
“Our biggest win this season is because of our captain (Jack Kelly), he’s really stepped up this season and showed us how much we all want to win – we can’t thank him enough.”
Stoke Poges manager Scott Manton is expecting a ‘great spectacle’ when his unbeaten league leaders take on title rivals Sandhurst Town in a Showcase Match this Saturday.
Poges are having the perfect season in East Berkshire League Division One, winning all 10 of their matches so far, scoring 47 goals and conceding just 10.
The team is also competing for Cup silverware having reached the Semi Finals in both the Slough Town Junior Cup and Maidenhead Norfolkian Junior Cup.
Stoke have experience of an EBFL Showcase Match event after twice taking Britwell in non-league stadiums last season, their win over the Premier Division champions at the 1878 Stadium in Burnham a highlight of the previous campaign.
Sandhurst Town present a real threat in the race for the title and will no doubt put Poges’ unbeaten record to the test in what is sure to be a mouthwatering match at Ascot United F.C. (7pm ko), Manton acknowledging a ‘tough game’ is in store.
He said: “A Showcase Match is always an exciting occasion, especially when it’s between two teams competing at the top of the division.
“Sandhurst have been doing really well this season, and we’re expecting a very tough game. However, we ourselves have been doing really well and currently sit unbeaten at the top of the league.
“Winning this match, in any venue, would be great for us in terms of our title challenge but, to win it at Ascot United FC as a part of a showcase event in front of a decent crowd, would make it even more special.
“I think this match will be a great spectacle between two very good teams, and I know I speak for all the lads when I say that we’re really looking forward to the occasion.
“We were lucky enough last season to be part of two Showcase Matches against Britwell, with the first being played at Slough Town F.C. and the second being played at Burnham F.C.
“Despite the result in the first game, it was still an amazing experience for myself and the players. To be able to play at a venue such as Arbour Park was really special, especially being a Slough-based team.
“The second game at Burnham F.C ,was arguably our highlight of the season, winning the match 3-2 against the eventual winners of the Premier Division. It was great being able to share the experience with our friends and families, and something we will remember for a long time.
“Being part of a Showcase Event is always an exciting opportunity for the club and something we are very much looking forward to”.
Evaluating the season so far, Manton said: “We came off of the back of a very tough season in the Premier Division, which unfortunately ended in relegation to Division One. However, despite the obvious disappointment, we stayed together as a team, improved the squad with a couple of new faces and set our sights on competing at the top of the division.
“Having learned many lessons from last season, and continuously looking to improve our football ability at training, we currently find ourselves top of Division One and in the Semi Finals of the Slough Town Junior Cup, which we are immensely proud of as a club.
“All credit goes to the unbelievable commitment, attitude and dedication of our players, as well as the hard work behind the scenes from our coaches Bradlee Greenwood (Assistant Manager) and Scott Gibson (Coach / Club Captain)”.
