Ilford manager Allan Fenn believes the squad he has picked for tonight’s Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy first round tie at Stansted is good enough to send them through.

The Foxes returned to winning ways in the Essex Senior League on Saturday with a 1-0 victory at Wadham Lodge.

Chris Stevens scored the only goal of the game in Walthamstow and now Ilford turn their focus on the cup.

“It is an opportunity for some people, although I was speaking to my coaches about the changes we are making,” said Fenn.

“We were debating whether the players coming in actually make us stronger so that’s a nice problem to have.

“Right now we have plenty of strength in depth and the boys we send out tonight are good enough to get the job done.”

Foxes will be much-changed from the weekend due to various circumstances, yet Fenn remains confident.

Ilford only made the trip up the M11 last month, though returned pointless after losing a close match 2-1.

“I wanted to put out my best possible team tonight, but we have to make some enforced changes,” said Fenn. “Five of the lads from Saturday are unavailable.

“A couple have knocks that can’t be risked, some are at university and Leon Rolle is with Rudimental at an event in Regent Street.

“We do have Eden Nelson and Glen Warwick in the squad for the first time in quite some while. Andy Edmunds is getting closer now, though is a week or two away so we are looking strong.”

Wale Odedoyin missed a penalty for Ilford at Stansted on October 25 and despite Sipho Mtyanda scoring for Foxes at Hargrave Park, it was just a mere consolation.

Fenn added: “When we played them last month we were really unlucky. We both had a player sent off after 10 minutes.

“Afterwards we missed a penalty when it was 1-0 and we threw the kitchen sink at them, but couldn’t level. My lot never like losing so we feel we have a point to prove and we will be doing everything we can to win.”

Ilford will head to the Airportment in a confident mood after delighting their manager last weekend at Wadham Lodge when Chris Clark was able to keep his first clean sheet since the 2-0 win over West Essex on October 29.

“Obviously a 1-0 win, being an Arsenal fan as well as an ex-defender, I was so pleased,” said Fenn. “Most of all I was really happy with the performance.

“I put a lot of pressure on my lads due to my standards, but they stepped up to the plate. They were organised, physically strong and our fitness was excellent - they did everything we asked.”

George Sessions
Ilford Recorder