With Brantham Athletic needing to beat Suffolk League leaders Long Melford to take the title on Sunday and then playing the same side in the League Cup final on Thursday, we spoke with their manager, Luke Barnes.
SK: What have been the highs (and any lows) of the season so far?
LB: Highs of the season has been how far we have progressed. We are a new-look Brantham that was put together three weeks before the season and we have improved week on week. The lows of the season have come from teams dropping out, however, the set up we have at Brantham is amazing and well backed, where we all care about ladies football and I would play all the ladies if I could.
SK: How pleased are you with your team’s form and did you expect to compete well?
LB: I am over the moon as we have over achieved in every possible way, and as a manager at the start of the year, you always look to win, if not then you shouldn’t be a manager. My ladies have grown as a team, or as I like to call it, the BAFC family but I am over the moon how much we have achieved as a team and as individuals.
SK: Has anyone stood out this year, or improved most?
LB: Without doubt we have four or five players who I feel could play a much higher standard. The two Lucy’s; Dunnet & Elmes, Megan Stock and Charlotte Partridge are some of the best players, female or male, I have worked with but the whole squad is great and have all improved week on week. Our goalie Heather Andrews (pictured) has improved more than ever and I would say is the best in the division on her day
SK: What will the tension be like for the league decider?
LB: Well from our outlook, tension is not a word we use, excitement is more the word. Most of these ladies have never played for a trophy before, let alone two. For me it will be an interesting time having joined Brantham from Long Melford in the close season. I feel the move for me was the right one and I am delighted how the Brantham Athletic Chief Executive Darren Smith has looked after me and all our ladies during the season.
SK: How does it feel to have both league and cup reaching a climax in the space of four days?
LB: Considering our season was meant to be over a month ago, relief is one feeling but I’m excited for the ladies on both sides, as we don’t get to play many midweek games. My ladies have been training hard the last two weeks, as we have been without a game but all looking forward to the game and all excited.
Click here for the thoughts of Long Melford’s captain and vice-captain.
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