Brackley will 'have a go' for their absent fans

Brackley Town are gearing up for their big play-off date at the weekend
Brackley Town manager Kevin WilkinBrackley Town manager Kevin Wilkin
Brackley Town manager Kevin Wilkin

Kevin Wilkin insists he and his Brackley Town players will “certainly be having a go” for their absent fans when they step into the National League North play-offs on Sunday.

The Saints take on Gateshead in the play-off eliminator at St James Park on Sunday (4pm kick-off) with the winners going on to a trip to Boston United in the semi-finals on July 25.

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But, due to the Covid-19 regulations, all matches will be played behind closed doors while fans will be able to watch the action live through a streaming service provided by BT Sport and Sportradar.

The other play-off eliminator sees Altrincham taking on Chester on Sunday (1.30pm) with the winners of that heading to York City in the other semi-final.

It’s sure to be strange for Wilkin and his players, although they had the chance to adjust to the surroundings during a friendly with National League South play-off hopefuls Slough Town last weekend.

“It’s probably the biggest downside of the whole thing,” the Brackley boss said.

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“Obviously everyone is happy that we are getting the game on but the big negative is that people can’t be there to watch you.

“Football people love going along to a live match but the players are understanding of it and, again, they had the experience of it against Slough last weekend.

“It was strange and I am sure it will be strange again on Sunday.

“All I can say is that we will certainly be having a go for the fans who can’t be there and we will be mindful of the support they have given us throughout the course of the season.”

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Wilkin, meanwhile, is hoping the friendly with Slough, which his team won 3-2, will stand his players in good stead for a huge 90 minutes on Sunday.

Under the new rules, there will be no extra-time if the scores are level with the match going straight to penalties if needed.

And Wilkin added: “We had the practice match against Slough, which was good and we practised penalties at the end of it which was handy.

“It was a really useful exercise and it helped the players get that bit of sharpness.

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“There was a competitive edge to it but both groups of players and management knew what it was for and it was played in the right spirit.

“It was as near as we will get to what will happen on Sunday so, from that point of view, it was really important for us to do it.”