Elding sets sights on Cup Final glory

Since joining Sligo Rovers earlier this season, Anthony Elding has endured a mixed experience in his first season in Irish football.

After scoring nine goals in his first eight League games, the striker later found both goals and appearances becoming less frequent, but he has found the golden touch once again in recent weeks and, speaking to local press, he knows how much the FAI Ford Cup means to the people of Sligo and fully intends on giving his all in this Sunday’s Final.

“I’m aware of the stature of this game from looking at the build-up and everyone has been telling me what it’s going to be like, what it has been like and some of the lads who have been there before have been telling me about it so it’s an occasion I am really looking forward to, that’s for sure. I had two goals coming here this season, to go to the Aviva Stadium and to win the League. We obviously failed in the League but we have still got a chance of winning silverware which is fantastic.

“I was involved in a play-off Final with Leeds United at Wembley, so I have been part of big games before and this will be right up there because it was one of my main goals to play in the Final and to get there and be part of something great will go down for me as one of my best achievements in the game.

“You don’t always get a chance in your career to play at big stadiums, I haven’t been to the Aviva so it’s something new for me. You work hard all year to win silverware and we are in with a great chance of winning something.”

The 31-year-old admitted he has been frustrated by his lack of opportunities in the second half of the season, but he has tried to remain positive and focused and has now set his sights on finishing the season with 20 goals.

“There has been a lot of frustration over the last eight or nine weeks, I want to play every week like every player should but I think I have come back into the frame at the right time by scoring a few goals and overall I am happy with my contribution to the season because I have come to a new country and scored 18 goals for the club and I would love to make it 20 with two in the Final. I have already visualised scoring the winner so for me to go and do that would be great achievement.

“You have to remain focused because you could be called upon at any time, I might not be named in the starting line-up, but the person ahead of me might pick up an injury in the warm-up so you have to be ready to step up. I spoke to the manager about my involvement in the team and he assured me I will play a big part, so I have kept my head down, worked hard and hopefully that hard work will play dividends come Sunday.”
 

The striker believes experience could be a big factor on his day and is confident that a strong team performance will see the FAI Ford Cup return to The Showgrounds.

“The experience in the squad is massive. A few of the players who have been there before have been telling me about it and it’s going to be a great occasion, and I’m especially looking forward to it as I have played in the Final in the Aviva and come that day I think our experience will prove dividends and if we can all stick together and apply ourselves in the right manner then I think we will come away with the trophy.”

He revealed that he has visualised himself scoring the winner against Drogs and further explained how he sees events unfolding on the day.

“You try to visualise everything on the day, including the celebrations. If you score early, you won’t celebrate too much but if you score in injury time you will go wild and I have experienced these feelings before and I look forward to going out there and giving account of myself as well as giving the fans something to shout about.”

Elding has confirmed that he wants to remain a Sligo Rovers player in 2014 and is hopeful that he has done enough to earn a new contract.

“I want to stay here. There has been a lot of talk lately about me staying and there was a clause in my contract, but that won’t be triggered because there aren’t enough games left to do it. I scored enough goals, but didn’t play enough games. I would like to hope the club will sit down with me, but if not then we shake hands and move on but my focus at the moment is to go out there on Sunday and give it my all for the club, the players and everyone involved because it’s an occasion I won’t forget in a hurry.”