Neighbours clash in Intermediate Cup Final

The Waterside men take on neighbours Oxford United in the Intermediate Cup Final, on Friday night at Wilton Park (KO 7pm).

Newbuildings have had three managers in charge this season, with Daryl Wallace now at the helm and he’s hoping for a good response from his players.

“There has been a lot of change this season in terms of the team and the coaching staff but the cup final would be a good positive way to finish the season,” he said.

“All the players are looking forward to it and there’s a good buzz about the club again.

“We have lost players to Institute, we have lost players through retirement and a few boys are out with long-term injuries as well, so it’s definitely a changed team that we have but since I have taken over we have won three and drawn the other.

“This will be our third cup final this season and we were very close to winning the league, so it has been a good season considering all the changes.”

Wallace is expecting a tough final and feels that Oxford go into the show piece game as favourites.

“It’s going to be a tough game against Oxford, they are favourites for the league title and they have been playing well this season.

“In fact I think Oxford go into the final as favourites, but we are playing well and are full of confidence and they are all looking forward to the final.”

As for Oxford boss Paul Roddy, he believes his side can go all the way.

“We are a young side but we are hoping that we can go a wee step further as they beat us the last time in,” he said.

“We have to put that final behind us and concentrate on this week’s. We are a better team at the moment, we are the stronger team and we are hoping that we can win this one.”

Roddy’s side are strong favourites for the league title so to clinch a league and cup double would be a great effort.

“It would be a great way to end the season and if we have the opportunity of winning the double that would be fantastic for such a young team,” he said.

“What we are looking at now as a club, is that we have applied to the Irish League to try and get back into the Championship Two again. We are trying to get the criteria sorted out for the Swilly Stadium, so if I’m being honest we are more forward on all fronts.

“So if we could manage to clinch the Intermediate Cup that would be a nice way to put the icing on top of the cake. It would show us in the right light and it would be good for the young people to see that all their efforts have been worth while.”