Non-League and Academy football writer

Walthamstow Reserves will face FC Baresi on Tuesday night, in the final of this season’s Essex Alliance League Senior Division Cup. Walthamstow Reserves finished in ninth place in the league this season, their manager – Eny Okoro’s first season as a manager in senior football. With FC Baresi player-manager Romuald Boco and head-coach Tani Syed, helping to lead FC Baresi to their first ever step 7 league title. The club who will be playing their football at step 6 for the first time in their history next season, will be hoping to do the double tomorrow, at the home ground (Gaughan Group Stadium) of Leyton Orient. Walthamstow Reserves beat Rapid Chingford, Woodford East and Aveley Under 23’s, on their way to the final of this competition. And in the league this season, they have recorded some spectacular wins, such as winning 15-0 against Kit Out London, and also winning 8-3 away to Frenford Development. However, FC Baresi would beat CSM London and Haringey Borough Under 23’s, on their way to the final.

Both teams play really good, fast football, and although Walthamstow Reserves are a younger side than FC Baresi, they have a lot of quality. They (Walthamstow Reserves) lost 1-0 and then recorded a 3-3 draw in the league, with FC Baresi, earlier in the season. However, this game tomorrow is a cup final, and I do think that having seen both teams play this season (I have seen a good amount of FC Baresi’s games this year), that it will be a high scoring game of football, on Tuesday. Going forward, both teams are superb, and they also have really good and talented squads. The Essex Alliance League Senior Division is a fantastic step 7 league, which is very competitive. FC Baresi were really deserved winners of the league title this season, and it will be very interesting to see which step 6 league that they’ll play their football in next season. But for them tomorrow, all focus will be on trying to win the cup, and they already know just how good Walthamstow Reserves are. This should be a fantastic cup final and occasion, at a really good ground, and hopefully in front of a good crowd. I will be there tomorrow, reporting on the match.

Some stats for both sides:

• Walthamstow Reserves’ biggest win of this season: 15-0 versus Kit Out London.

• FC Baresi’s biggest win of this season: 10-1 versus Kit Out London. 

• Walthamstow Reserves’ top scorer this season: Issa Sidibe (35).

• FC Baresi’s top scorer this season: Murat Karagul (22).

• Walthamstow Reserves scored 91 league goals this season. That was bettered only by FC Baresi (101). 

• FC Baresi’s top assists provider (2023/24): Marvin Hamilton (15).