Leith Athletic backed by boss to deliver Alex Jack Cup trophy for sixth time

The Alex Jack CupThe Alex Jack Cup
The Alex Jack Cup
Leith Athletic boss Steven Chalmers has rallied his players ahead of their Alex Jack Cup final tomorrow, urging them to go and claim the trophy for the sixth time as a club.

The East of Scotland 1st Division Conference A side take on Crossgates Primrose of the Premier Division at Kelty Hearts’ New Central Park (kick-off 2pm), and although Chalmers says they will respect their opponents, he is backing his players to bring back silverware to the capital.

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“It’s not going to be easy, Crossgates are a top half Premier Division side and they deserve respect for being in the position they are in, but we are not going to give them too much respect – we are there on merit as well,” said Chalmers, in his fifth season in charge of the senior side but 12th year overall at the club having initially coached their under 14s.

“We’ve not played any games at home in the cup this season, all our previous games have been away. Some people will say Crossgates are favourites due to the fact it’s on their doorstep, but it’s 11 v 11, it’s a one-off game and we’ve got everything to play for and nothing to lose.

“We’ve got a good nucleus of guys who have won trophies at senior level in our squad. When you get to senior level competing in finals is few and far between, when you are at youth level if you are part of a successful team then you are going to be in finals. The guys have got to themselves to a final, it’s now time to go one step further and get a winner’s medal.

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“For the last couple of weeks, since the semi-final, the atmosphere has been good. We’ve not had an easy draw, but it’s shaped us and given us a bit of character, in terms of knowing that we’ve needed to go away to these places to perform and the pressure has been on us. We’ve done the hard bit in getting to the final, now it’s about going out and enjoying it, and getting the win.”