MANAGER Callum Brooks insists New Milton Town will have “nothing to lose” when they lock horns with Blackfield & Langley for a place in the final of the Russell-Cotes Cup.

The Linnets, who saw off Wessex One rivals Cowes and Ringwood to reach the last four, tonight host the Wessex Premier high-fliers at Fawcett’s Field (7.45pm).

Relegated in 2013, New Milton have won their past six games – including a 6-3 victory over Ringwood in the quarter-final – and Brooks has overseen a steady improvement at the club in his first managerial post.

Brooks, who has seen the Linnets beat higher-level opposition in both the Hampshire Senior Cup and FA Vase this season, told the club website: “It is a game we are all looking forward to.

“With a lack of teams in our league, coupled with the fact we are usually among the lowest-level sides to enter the cup competitions, we are starved of opportunities to play midweek fixtures under the lights.

“We are having to win every game in the league to stay anywhere near the top clubs with the budgets, whereas on Tuesday, all the pressure is going to be on the opposition. They are the big-hitters who will be expected to progress.

“For us, we have nothing to lose and will be asking our lads to play with freedom and enjoy the game.

"Most of our lads are ambitious and want to progress to higher levels so it is a good opportunity for them to show what they can do against a top side.”