Bury boss ignoring Stowmarket's form
ALEX Rossis is ignoring Stowmarket Town’s recent form ahead of their Suffolk Premier Cup Semi-Final.
The Bury Town interim manager leads his side into their last-four tie against the Old Gold & Blacks at Bloomfields, home of Needham Market FC, on Wednesday night, kick-off 7.45pm.
After six wins in succession, Stowmarket have now lost their last five matches in a row and can no longer make this season’s Isthmian North play-offs.
Rossis said: “They started the season very well but have had a few issues and are now trying to pick up the pieces.
“Chris Casement had done a great job after taking over as manager, winning his first six matches in charge including being the first team to beat Hashtag United after their (21-match) winning run.
“They have had a few injuries in recent weeks which has had an effect on the team and they have been on a bad run, but I don’t think that matters going into Wednesday’s match.
“It is a cup-tie, a one-off game and a local derby, and I am 100 per cent sure they will be up for it.
“I know because it is a cup game everyone says league form goes out of the window, but because it is a local derby, I think form goes out of the window anyway.”
Rossis, who has been in interim charge since manager Ben Chenery departed at the start of March, said the club’s focus had been on Wednesday’s tie in recent weeks.
Bury currently sit in 11th place in Isthmian North following Saturday’s 4-1 loss at home to play-off chasing Grays Athletic.
Rossis said: “Grays Athletic did a job on us on Saturday, but everything over the last two or three weeks has been building up to Wednesday’s game.
“We have had players who need to get minutes into their legs in preparation for the semi-final.
“Bury Town have not been in the final since the 2017-18 season and not won the Premier Cup for nearly ten years, so it is a chance for us to win some silverware.
Olly Hughes came off on Saturday with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to feature, although Rossis said: “You can never rule Olly out, but realistically he is unlikely to be available.”
Definitely out are Jed Wigley, who has been suffering with an ankle problem, and Will Gardner, who is suspended after being sent off in the 2-0 victory at Kirkley & Pakefield in the second round.
The winners of Wednesday's semi-final will play either Leiston or Needham Market, who meet in the first semi-final taking place at Stowmarket Town FC on Tuesday evening, kick-off 7.45pm.
Bury Town’s Cruis Nyadzayo (blue shirt) is pictured above in action in their recent 3-1 victory over Felixstowe &Walton United (red shirts) at the Atalian Servest Stadium.
