STEVE Butterworth is setting his sights on reaching the Essex Senior Cup final during his first full season in management.

Butterworth was confirmed as Great Wakering Rovers’ permanent player-manager, after a spell in interim charge, in April.

And, having already picked up a runners-up medal in Wakering’s 2-1 defeat to Hornchurch in the final 12 years ago, Butterworth is keen to go one better when leading his side from the dugout.

Butterworth, whose side face an away third round tie against Romford tonight, said: “The Essex Senior Cup is one of the better cup competitions that we are involved in.

“I reached the final with Wakering as a player and it was a fantastic occasion.

“The competition gives you the opportunity to play at some big stadiums, with the final usually taking place at Colchester United, Southend United or Dagenham & Redbridge.

“That gives the players even more of an incentive and that would be a great moment for my squad.

“It’s also great for the younger players to go to a professional club’s stadium and it would be nice for me to be involved in an Essex Senior Cup final as a manager this time.”

Romford are groundsharing with Isthmian North rivals Brentwood Town this season and, as a result, Wakering will return to the Brentwood Arena for the second time in four days.

Wakering drew 2-2 with Brentwood in an Isthmian North encounter at the weekend.

And Butterworth is keen to bounce back to winning ways by progressing in the Essex Senior Cup.

“We will go there with a full-strength squad,” added Butterworth.

“Romford will want to go through as well, so we will need to be at our best.”