HAMWORTHY United boss Phil Simkin ruled key players out of today’s Wessex League Cup final – but still insisted his side could shock VT FC.

Hammers go into the showpiece fixture at Fawcett’s Field (3pm) as big underdogs, with VT expected to lift the silverware.

But Simkin thinks his men can prove the doubters wrong, just as they did when defeating Premier Division champions Poole Town at the semi-final stage.

He told the Echo: “I’ve been in the game for nearly 40 years and the bottom line is it’s a one-off game and nobody knows what could happen.

“I accept the fact that they are a very good side and they have got some very good players.

“They have good resources but they use them very well and play good football.

“But we’re no mugs.

“We beat Poole Town over two games to get to the final and we’ll have a go.”

Simkin attended VT’s Hampshire Senior Cup final clash against Fleet Town at St Mary’s last Thursday to assess the opposition.

The Hammers manager added: “We’ve formulated a game-plan and we know what we’re going to do.

“We trained on Saturday afternoon to look at things and we’ll give it our best shot.

“We hope, on the day, that proves to be good enough.”

If Hamworthy are to claim the silverware, they will have to do so without a number of key players.

Goalkeeper Martin Peters will not feature after failing to overcome a knee problem, while both Rich McCabe and Mark Kenway will also miss out.

Hamworthy United: (from) Shergold, Horlock, Cherrett, Gilbert, Yelland, Jackson, Lockyer, Dovell, Crow, Byerley, Cannie, Dancer, Merritt, Mutch, Vavrecka, Jeffes.