BRANTHAM Athletic joint-manager Michael Brothers has warned his side to expect a backlash in tonight’s showdown at Felixstowe and Walton.

The sides met in an FA Cup duel on August 5 and on that occasion it was the Imps who pulled off an extraordinary 7-2 victory.

They meet again in a Thurlow Nunn League premier division encounter at the Goldstar Stadium tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

And Brothers expects the shell-shocked hosts, who are top of the table with nine wins out of nine, to have a point to prove.

“It’s a big game and one we’re really looking forward to,” he told the Standard.

“The two teams aren’t far apart and a lot of the players know each other through football, so there’s a bit of rivalry there. That adds extra spice.

“Felixstowe are a free-scoring side and they’ve gone on a great run since we beat them in the cup.

“I’m sure that game will have a bearing on tonight’s match.

“They’ll be out for revenge and to prove a point, so they’ll have extra fire in their bellies.

“I know that’s how I’d feel if I were a Felixstowe player.

“I’d be there at the ground getting ready from 5pm.

“I dare say the cup game will be mentioned in our team talk but the players know the score.

“Felixstowe will have the bit between their teeth and they know that.”

Brothers, who runs the side with Matt Carmichael, says his team will go into tonight’s match full of confidence, despite last weekend’s 6-1 FA Vase first qualifying round defeat at Redbridge.

Prior to that, they had been unbeaten in four league games, winning three of them and only conceding once.

“It’s down to us to be clever tonight, stick to our game plan and try to play like we did in the other game,” he said.

“We’ll go there full of confidence, having only lost once in the league so far and having been on a decent run before the weekend.

“As a team, we’re getting there and want to prove to ourselves and others that we can be a force in this division.

“Friday nights are good for players and supporters and that’s something else we’re looking forward to.

“You get your weekend back and there’s usually a great atmosphere.”

Brantham had a tough time in their tie at Redbridge, losing 6-1.

Jack Sibbons scored their late consolation goal.

Earlier, Sean Bartlett had seen a penalty saved by the Redbridge keeper.

“We let ourselves down, as a team rather than individually,” added Brothers.

“We just couldn’t get to grips with Redbridge’s style of football and it was the same when we played Cheshunt (in the FA Cup).

“These guys are streetwise and play in more physical leagues than us.

“We just didn’t have another way to counteract them or get used to their way of playing.”