‘If we stand off them they’ll slaughter us’

Tee Kanjanda, right, is an injury doubt for Horndean's trip to Bashley. Picture: Keith Woodland

He rates the New Forest side – who have won 10 of their 14 home league games this term - as one of the best footballing teams in the division.

'In my eyes Bashley, Baffins Milton and us are the three teams who play the most football in our league,' said Birmingham.

'They are a very young mobile team and we can't afford to stand off them and let them play.

'If we do that they will slaughter us.

'I am not surprised that they recently ended AFC Stoneham's 15-match unbeaten run.

'We have been to their place in the past and got beat 5-0, so we have to learn from that.

'I am looking for my team to be aggressive and to close down their space.

'The pitch is almost certainly going to be heavy which won't suit either of us.

'It means that players will have to be prepared to battle and do some of the ugly stuff.

'You can't always expect to be able to play football in perfect conditions.

'We will have to show that we are hungry and want the win.'

Skipper Ash Howes is sitting out the final game of a suspension, while Tee Kanjanda remains a doubt after being injured against Amesbury a fortnight ago.

'I am not surprised he is feeling sore because it was a karate-kid tackle,' said Birmingham.

Horndean earned themselves a place in the semi-finals of the Portsmouth Senior Cup in midweek by beating US Portsmouth 5-2.

They will have to overcome Baffins in the semi-finals to earn a place in the final.

'We started well and went two goals in front,' said Birmingham.

'After a couple of further glorious chances, the game became too easy and we stopped doing what we were good at.

'This allowed United Services to get back into the game.

'They pulled a goal back before the break and equalised at the start of the second half.

'We changed our shape after that and restricted their freedom.

'As soon as we scored our third goal the game was as good as over.

'We could easily have scored a few more by the end.'

A win a Bashley could see Horndean regain their place in the top five whilst a defeat would enable their hosts to leapfrog them.