Dudley and Cradley ready for Molineux battle in JW Hunt Cup final
Dudley Town and Cradley Town are both looking to reflect on successful seasons by lifting the JW Hunt Cup on Thursday (8pm), writes Dan Hickey.
The final at Molineux will see Midland League Premier Division side Dudley, who finished just outside the step five play-offs, play Division One opponents Cradley, the Birmingham FA Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup champions.
The Hammers’ boss Stuart How is hoping to ‘leave behind a legacy’ at Cradley ahead of his move to Gornal Athletic, while the Robins’ manager Matty Lovatt hopes the match ‘mirrors’ the good season Dudley have had.
How is hoping his side can draw from experience, having already lifted one trophy this season. He said: “In the midweek game for us in the cup final, the Bescot was probably good preparation for us.
“I expect us to be outnumbered in terms of support, and also, I expect them to take the game to us, the way Nuneaton (Town) did as well. And I mentioned yesterday, I think we’re probably, on paper, the underdogs, with them being a top end step five side.
“So, I think we kind of dealt with that really well in the previous fixture, in the previous final we've been involved in, and I think that puts us in good stead.”
Lovatt is expecting an extra challenge, as plenty of the Robins have played under him: “They’ll be very tough. For those people who don't know, they have several ex-Dudley Town players who played under us, under myself.
“Not only were they fantastic this year in their league, they were very unlucky in their quest for the play-offs, and promotion, but they're going to have the added incentive of trying to put one over on myself and Dudley Town.
"So, it'll be really tough. They're a good side with quality throughout, experience, and they'll be no mugs and we're looking forward to a good challenge.”
How added: “Another person I spoke to yesterday, an old coach of mine, Lea Shaw, who I’ve got a lot of respect for, he said: ‘In any game of football, if you’re winning trophies, you're leaving behind a legacy'.
“And I think that's the message being sent to the players. The lads are fully aware of how successful they’ve been at a Cradley this year and also how long it's been since there's been success at the football club
“So, to win one trophy was really special - but if they can get the second one over the line then that would be absolutely amazing really, for everybody involved.”
As Cradley hope to complete a double to round out their season, Lovatt is also taking the game as a finale to 2024/25.
“I'd say it's more of a healthy reflection of the positive season we've had this year, to be fair," he said. “We're certainly looking at it as a bit of a close rather than the start of preseason. It's very much like the last game of our season for us. So hopefully it mirrors the good season that we've had.”
