ROB SMALL says leading Bowers & Pitsea to their first trophy in 17 years would be worth cutting short a holiday with his fiancee for.

Bowers take on Clapton on Sunday in the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup final at Great Wakering Rovers’ Burroughs Park ground.

Small will have to drive back from Centre Parcs in Elvedon to make the game after believing Bowers’ season would be over by the end of April.

“I was told before the season started it would have finished by the end of April so Zoe and I booked some time away at Center Parcs,” Small said.

“But, as it happens, the football clashes with it so I have been in negotiations with her and I will be there, before rushing back!

“Let’s hope we win and the journey back will be much quicker.”

Small is also hoping winning their first piece of silverware since 1998 – when they won the league and cup double – would give the club a tremendous lift as they gun for promotion next term.

But to do that, Small and his team will have to overcome a new barrier this weekend.

Despite Bowers’ extraordinary exploits this term, including their highest ever finish, most points, longest winning run, most goals scored and fewest goals conceded, Small still hasn’t got the better of Clapton.

In four matches against them this term, Bowers are yet to record a win, having lost one and drawn three of their previous meetings.

“I am really looking forward to it and it is an important match,” he said. “Teams and managers are judged on what they have won and it would be a great end to a wonderful season if we could get that trophy.

“You win as much silverware for finishing second as you do for finishing bottom so Sunday is all about winning.

“Clapton are proving to be our bogey team this season and we know it will be tough. They have great support and it really will help them and give them that extra wind. We need to be able to combat that.”

Small says their success against free-scoring Bowers could be down to their manager Michael Walther, who lives in the local area and Enrico Tiritera, who has worked with a number of the current Bowers squad.

But Small remains confident of securing the right result, and wants to set the record straight after Bowers were pummelled 9-1 in the final by Barkingside two years ago.

“We are capable of winning this match,” he said. “Winning is a habit and I want it to be a habit this team becomes accustomed to.

“We will be doing our utmost to make sure we win this weekend and it would be good to erase the memory of what happened two years ago, as it is still nagging some of the fans.”

Sunday’s match kicks-off at 4pm.