Hereford Pegasus Reserves take on Ledbury Town in the Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl Final at the County Ground in Hereford this evening, with Pegasus Reserves looking to retain the trophy.
We caught up with captain Henry Hancocks and manager Billy Beaumont ahead of the fixture.
First up it’s captain Henry Hancocks.
YH: Henry, it’s the Charity Bowl final on Wednesday. How are you and the team preparing for it?
HH: I believe we’ve prepared well and are ready for this game, we’ve trained twice in the last few days as we’ve not had a game in a few weeks so hopefully we won’t be too off the pace, but we’re up for it and we’re ready!
YH: You’ve had a good season so far. As captain, who has stood out the most for you this season?
HH: Overall yes I’d say we’ve had a decent season, we’ve had a few little blips that have cost us that 2nd position, but we’re a young side that haven’t been together long with a few new signings and we’re still developing but we have a lot of talent. I think the majority have had a good season, there’s definitely players that have improved massively this year, stand out player for me is Jordan Williamson which most would agree with me on.
YH: Ledbury Town are a very good side and have claimed some great wins this season. Have you got a plan to stop them playing?
HH: Ledbury are a tough opponent, they make it hard for us to play the football we want too, they are strong and aggressive but we will match them in that area if we’re up for it. We all know it will be a tough game for us. We will press high and squeeze them as they play long ball football from the back so we have to stop that over the top ball.
YH: Do you think many of the Reserves side can push for a place in the first team next season?
HH: I think there’s 4 or 5 players that could step up to the first team for sure next season if they keep playing the way they are with the right attitude then I can’t see why they won’t be pushing for a spot, there’s a lot of talent in the team it’s just all about building on the consistency now.
Next up is the gaffer, Billy Beaumont.
YH: It’s the charity bowl final on Wednesday. How are you looking ahead to the game?
BB: Despite the gap we’ve had with fixtures coming into the end of the season has killed the momentum for us but will also be the same for them. We’ve worked hard in training on different transitions of play styles and how things may suit us going into this final. I’m confident with the lads passions, determination and drive we will be taking the cup home again!
YH: You won the Charity Bowl last season. What would it mean to win it again this season?
BB: To be honest it’s even more important this season than last, to retain the cup again would be a massive achievement not only for the team but for the club, considering last season was the first bit of silverware going back to the club after 10 years was a massive achievement, to go and do it again would be huge.
YH: You’ve had a decent season finishing in third place behind Hartpury and Ledbury Town. You face Ledbury Town in the final, how do you hope to overcome them?
BB: Yes we have, shame about some results. Credit to Hartpury and congratulations on their promotion! Ledbury have also had a decent season and seem to be flying, beating us in both league fixtures. We’ve reviewed our performances and how we set out to play them in the cup final, hopefully the work we’ve put into training pays off.
YH: Who has been your player of the season?
BB: This is always a hard question to ask a manager as with our side every player when they are on that pitch will put 110% in for me, and that’s where I respect all of them. Jordan Williamson has always been a great player for our side and shows his quality with stepping up to the first team and helping them to their promotion. Throughout the season there have been plenty of individuals stepping up to earn positions and places, Nick Britton has been a great addition to the squad and is showing that with his goal tally. Ben Pritchard from the start of the season has stepped up to earn his position in our midfield and as the games have gone on throughout the season he’s got better and better so for me Ben would be it.
YH: It’s a good time to be at Hereford Pegasus with the first team and Women’s teams also having great seasons and picking up silverware. Who would you like to give a shout out to for all the hard work they put in behind the scenes?
BB: To be honest, Hereford Pegasus as a community and as a whole are taking massive step ups and that’s credits too all the managers, coaches, families, parents and the staff working at Pegasus. I have to give credit to Kevin Bishop and Simon Barrington for all the work they do for me behind the scenes and putting up with all my messages.
YH: What are your hopes for next season?
BB: Promotion. For me this is a goal I’ve always set for myself and the team, I want to strive the team to be the best they can and I think over the last couple of seasons being in charge of the side it’s shown we have the ability to go and contend for it. So for me next season is promotion and nothing less!
Hereford Pegasus take on Ledbury Town tonight in the Charity Bowl final at the County Ground, 7.45pm kick off. £3 adults, £2 OAPS & children.
