Whitton 'are not favourites' in cup
MANAGER Tony Lanni doesn’t consider his Whitton United side favourites to reach this season’s CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Final.
The Thurlow Nunn League Division One North side take on Tattingstone United of the SIL Senior Division in the semi-finals at the Martello Ground, home of Felixstowe & Walton United FC, on Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.
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Whitton have an illustrious history in the competition, winning the famous trophy on six previous occasions, including a purple patch when they won it in 2010-11, 2011-12 and again in 2013-14, after being runners-up the previous season.
They will be facing a Tattingstone side who will be appearing in their first-ever Senior Cup semi-final in what is only their second season in the competition.
Asked if he felt his side were favourites to reach the final, Lanni said: “No, we have a young, evolving squad learning their level of football. For me it's a great opportunity for both clubs, respectively.
“I don’t know much know about our opponents – all I can say is that how commendable their achievements have been in recent times and reaching Senior football.”
Whitton, who went on to reach the 2014-15 final of the Suffolk Premier Cup following promotion to Step 5, subsequently suffered relegation from the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division and have had little to celebrate since.
Lanni admitted: “It's been a long road and journey rebuilding and trying to shape the football at the club, but we all are determined and excited to be involved in the occasion.
“Naturally for both teams it’s an honour and an achievement to reach the semi-finals of a competition. But the occasion for me personally is about the players, and their experience.”
Lanni said he will be telling his players ahead of kick-off to “enjoy and embrace the game ahead” on Friday when they will be missing some members of their squad due to suspensions and being cup-tied.
Whitton United (green shirts) are pictured above in action at home to Pinchbeck United (yellow shirts) in the Thurlow Nunn League Division One North last October.
