STEWART KENNY will be proud of his players no matter the outcome of this weekend’s Alex Jack Cup final.

Oakley United will face Musselburgh Athletic on Sunday in the club’s first ever final as a senior club.

The Blairwood Park boss is hoping his players will thrive under the pressure and get their hands on the silverware.

And he believes the prospect of lifting the trophy is all the motivation his players need ahead of the cup clash.

He said: “I think we’ll have more than 100 fans and Musselburgh will have a big crowd with them as well, so it’s going to be a lively atmosphere with maybe 300 or 400 people coming to watch.

“Some of the boys won’t have played in front of that many people, and that’ll be a test for them to see how they deal with the abuse from the opposition fans and the backing from their own. It’ll be a great occasion.

“To be honest, I won’t have to give much of a team talk. They’ve done brilliantly to get to the final and I’m proud of them already for that.

“They deserve to be in the final but, when you get to a final, you want to win it. I’ll be proud if they win or lose but I believe in them.

“We’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough game. Anything can happen. It could just come down to who wants it more on the day.”

The EOSFL First Division Conference A side battled their way to the final with wins over Dalkeith Thistle and Kinnoull away from home, before stunning Dunbar United at Blairwood.

Musselburgh, who are one point off bottom spot in the Premier Division, have been free-scoring on their route to the final with 15 goals to their name in four matches.

The sides will battle it out at New Victoria Park in Newtongrange to determine who will lift the trophy.

“It would mean a lot to me if we won,” Kenny continued.

“On a personal level, it would be great, but it’s the players who deserve all the credit for getting us this far.

“I’m just a bystander, they’re the ones who have gone about their business and earned this chance.”

East of Scotland League, First Division Conference A: Oakley United 2 Heriot Watt University 0

OAKLEY will have a selection headache for the big game after Saturday’s 2-0 victory in league duty over Heriot Watt University.

Goals from Lee Halpin and Craig Martin either side of half-time were enough for Oakley to notch up their fourth league win in a row.

They were without the threat of Stuart Love through suspension but his goals were replaced by Halpin and Martin, who both netted with two fine strikes.

Kenny commented: “I’ve got tough decisions to make. Stuart will be free to play and we’re hoping Ryan McGill will be available if he passes a fitness test at the end of the week.

“But, to be honest, it doesn’t matter who starts in the final or who comes off the bench, we’ll need everyone to have the same attitude. The full squad have to support and motivate each other. We’re one big unit.

“We’re in excellent form right now and it’s given us that extra confidence for the final.”

  • Kick-off is at 2pm on Sunday at New Victoria Park in Newtongrange.
  • Adult tickets cost £7 and concessions and children are £3.