MIKE Ford has won all eight of his play-off matches in his managerial career and he is confident that record will be extended on Wednesday when Evesham United face Hamworthy United in the Southern League Division One South play-off semi-final.
Evesham make the long trip south to Dorchester to face Hamworthy on Wednesday afternoon in what will be Robins' boss Ford's ninth post-season play-off match in his managerial career.
Having secured their place in the play-offs on Saturday thanks to the dramatic 3-2 win at home to league champions AFC Totton, Ford is adamant his squad have what it takes to progress to the final.
"I am fully confident in this squad. I have a fantastic group of players who are currently on a massive high," he said.
"We have to be good again on Wednesday, like we were Saturday, but of course we can do it.
"I have plenty of experience in play-offs; I have played in eight of them and I have won all eight. I am in a good position to guide my team through it.
"If they (Evesham) want to look to me to guide a team into a semi and then into a final, this football club has the right manager."
The game on Wednesday will be played at Dorchester Town as Hamworthy's ground was deemed unable to host a play-off game due to ground requirements at Step 4 level.
It might be a good sign that the game has been moved, as United have gone the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign unbeaten at home.
Evesham lost 2-1 in both games with Hamworthy in the regular season but the ground change could be a good omen for The Robins.
Regardless of omens, Evesham will be confident and come into the clash on the back of four straight victories.
One of the main players behind that form has been striker Kyle Belmonte, who scored two penalties in the weekend win over AFC Totton to make it five goals in his last four games.
Ford was full of praise for the charismatic forward, who he described as the team's "talisman".
"He is such a character and such a nice lad," added Ford. "When people talk about a talisman for a team or a club, he is, without doubt, a talisman for this team.
"He's been brilliant this week as he has all season but he had a real barren spell at one point of not scoring but he kept doing his stuff.
"Talk about a player making a difference. Kyle has scored seven or eight goals in the last seven games or so and that is the definition of making a difference - he has been brilliant for us."
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