Tons assistant looks ahead to tonight’s clash with Bari and reflects on 2-2 draw with Stansted

Clapton play their penultimate match of their Essex Senior League campaign this evening and assistant manager Marc Nurse has admitted the players given an opportunity against London Bari could earn themselves a cup final spot.

Tons qualified for the final of the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy last week following a stunning 1-0 win against Haringey Borough.

Barking await on May 2 at Burnham’s Leslie Field, but the Old Spotted Dog outfit also face the same opposition in the semi-final’s of the Essex Senior League cup next Tuesday (April 28).

Nurse has revealed that players who impress against local rivals Bari this evening could force their way into his and Michael Walther’s plans for the two big cup matches coming up.

“We are letting some of the other guys involved have an opportunity tonight,” said Nurse.

“Some of the reserve players will be put in to get them minutes and a few first team players that haven’t played much.

“Places are all up for grabs with a cup final coming up and everyone will get a chance.

“We already know what type of team we want to put out, but that could change after tonight.”

At the weekend Clapton had to settle for a point against Stansted after sharing four-goals at the Dog.

Jerry Jariette and Jake Stevens scored in the first half for Tons to put them two up at the break, but the Airportmen hit back to salvage a draw.

519 fans were in attendance, though, as Clapton’s incredible support continues to grow and grow.

Nurse added: “We had over 500 fans on Saturday and you had even more than that because the under-16s and under-14s were there too, but they aren’t included in the attendance.

“We had a presentation afterwards and some of the fans stayed for that as well, which was good.

“To be honest we were coasting in the game, but we made a few mistakes with substitutions. We took off Jerry in midfield and changed things, and that was a mistake, but we have to learn from it.”

See this week’s Recorder for more.