Royals keen to make it a double over Borough

The Royals knocked Borough out of the Hampshire Senior Cup earlier this season after a penalty shoot-out victory.

And boss Graham Rix is hopeful his team can put in a repeat performance.

‘We played well when we beat them earlier in the season and will need to do the same again,’ he said.

‘It will be a tough game because both teams will want to give a good showing and finish the season on a high.

‘Being a cup final means there is silverware on offer and both clubs will be up for it.

‘Our 4-1 win over Wessex premier champions Salisbury FC at the weekend has given us a massive boost.

‘If we produce another performance like that then we will give ourselves every chance.

‘Hopefully, playing in front of our home crowd will also spur us on.’

Rix may have to do without injured full-back Rob Evans, who missed the last game.

But his deputy, young Charlie Walker, did well on his debut.

Borough will view the game as an opportunity to put a bit of gloss on a disastrous second half of the season.

After looking like being realistic play-off challengers at Christmas, financial problems set in and the club faded badly.

Manager Alex Pike, who is considering his future at the club, is also keen to see his team make amends for their final league game of the season.

They lost that 5-2 at home against already-relegated Hayes & Yeading as they finished the season ninth.

Borough are likely to be without Rory Williams who has picked up a knee injury.

Meanwhile, in the Wessex League premier division, Steve Stone is hoping to have a number of players back as Fareham Town host Salisbury FC at Cams Alders (7.45pm).

A patched-up Reds line-up suffered a 5-0 defeat at Andover on Saturday.

Horndean continue their hectic schedule by taking on Brockenhurst at Five Heads Park (7.45pm).

It is the first of four games in six days for Craig Pearce’s side who are aiming for a top-five finish.