COOL IRON READY FOR THE CRUNCH

ANGELO HARROP can’t help but think back 12 months ahead of his Braintree Town returning to Worthing tomorrow afternoon.

- Matt Badcock

In last year’s National League South Eliminator the Iron’s season came to an end as they fell 2-1 to the Rebels, who went onto the semis.

This year the two sides have gone further and meet in the final showdown with a place in the National League on the line.

But Harrop thinks a different Iron are turning up in Sussex this time.

“I always go back to last year,” Harrop says. “Maybe my lack of experience, I felt like I was managing more like a fan and using those emotions – talking about family and why we do this. It was too much.

“This year there is a different focus about the way we prepare. We’re a lot calmer, we’re a lot more focused on the job at hand. I firmly believe we can go all the way."

A 1-0 extra-time win over Bath City in the Eliminator was followed up by a 3-2 extra-time win at Essex rivals Chelmsford City to book their place in tomorrow's final.

Harrop believes those results show how his players have taken to their task. But this week has been about staying level-headed.