County cup importance on the up for Browne (From Thisisdorset)

County cup importance on the up for Browne

7:00am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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WIMBORNE boss Alex Browne says Cuthbury fan power has radically altered his previous ambivalent view about the Dorset Senior Cup.

He made more than 800 appearances for Dorchester Town and Weymouth at Southern and Blue Square level during a distinguished playing career from the early nineties to 2008.

During that time, the former domineering central defender says he always saw the county cup as a major distraction.

But now he’s in the Cuthbury hot seat, his first managerial job, it’s suddenly become a very different story – despite Magpies’ strong push for the Sydenhams Wessex Premier title.

Browne, who made no bones about his ‘take it or leave it’ attitude during the early rounds of this season’s competition, is now eyeing a final against Gillingham Town next month.

He’s aware Wimborne’s fans expect nothing less than victory against the Toolstation Western One underdogs at a venue to be decided on April 13, especially as Magpies haven’t lifted the trophy for 13 long years.

Browne, whose giant-killers stunned Dorchester Town 4-1 away on their way to the final, said: “We enjoyed great support for our semi win over Poole Borough last week, so I know how Wimborne’s supporters feel.

“Perhaps I didn’t give the cup my full support when I was at Dorchester and Weymouth, when we used to win it more often than not, because the league was always the priority for us.

“I remember we had to cancel weekend league games so we could fulfil cup games which meant more to our opposition than us.

“Now I’m at Wimborne, a club that is down a couple of leagues, I appreciate how much everyone here wants to win it.

“We’re in a final and they want some silverware.

“I’ve made my feelings known about cup competitions in earlier rounds, but when you get to semis and finals you do want to win them.

“There is a bigger picture with us trying to win the league.

“The cup is a distraction, but at the same time the pressure is off.

“We will want to win it when the final against Gillingham comes around.

“We’ve beaten them 6-1 at home twice since I’ve been here, including when we were 6-0 up inside 30 minutes in the FA Vase earlier this season.

“But I’m sure they’ll step up a notch and fancy their chances against us in the final.”