BOSS Matty Holmes is backing his players to embrace the occasion and end Wimborne Town’s lengthy wait to land the Dorset Senior Cup.

Magpies last lifted the county crown back in 1997. They have since been runners-up on five separate occasions, losing to the likes of Weymouth, Gillingham Town, Poole and Dorchester in the process.

But with Holmes bidding to secure his first piece of silverware since stepping into the Cuthbury hot seat, he is excited to see his side take on Sydenhams Wessex Premier outfit Shaftesbury tomorrow at the County Ground (7.45pm).

He told the Daily Echo: “If the boys turn up on the night and have a real go, we have a great chance of winning.

“It’s a case of getting themselves up for the challenge and rising to the occasion, which I hope they do because we have a lot of Wimborne supporters and our youth sides coming to watch.

“Shaftesbury have a couple of decent players in their side. They work hard and defend well. We have to break them down and have also got to be aware of their strengths.

“Our record against Wessex League teams in the FA Cup isn’t great and we will be looking to put things right against them. All the boys are determined to win the cup.”

Magpies have dazzled in the competition so far by scoring 11 goals across three rounds.

Prolific frontman Toby Holmes struck no fewer than six times as Magpies comfortably saw off last season’s finalists Gillingham Town 8-2 in the first round at Cuthbury.

That success set up a reunion with striker Holmes’s former club Dorchester, in which the clinical marksman once again came to the fore.

His two finely-taken goals in the space of 18 second-half minutes helped Wimborne overcome the Southern Premier side.

A dramatic penalty shootout victory over neighbours Poole Town in the last four meant Magpies had knocked out a team two leagues above them and set up their final date against the Rockies.

Manager Holmes added: “With the big clubs we have in the area in Poole, Dorchester and Weymouth, every season it is tough.

“Poole put a full team out against us, as did Dorchester, so we have had to do it the hard way. You would say looking at those games we deserve to go on and win it but that’s not the way it works.”

Magpies are set to be without midfielder Lee Francis, who is unavailable due to work commitments.

Shaftesbury have beaten Swanage, Bridport and Portland on their way to the final. They are 12th in their division having triumphed against Fareham Town 2-1 on Saturday.