AFC Telford United go live to the nation in the televised final of the Setanta Shield at Forest Green tonight, with boss Rob Smith eager to put on a show.

Six supporters’ coaches are making the trip down the M5 to Gloucestershire as the Bucks look to win a first cup since their formation in 2004.

Blue Square Premier side Forest Green Rovers will start as favourites to pocket the £16,000 winners’ prize on home soil – but Telford have already beaten four sides from that level in the Shield this season.

“It’s been a good competition for us and we’ve been involved in some quality games,” said Smith.

And as for tonight’s crunch, he added: “Forest Green will be a strong, well-organised, full-time team and you only have to look at the York games (in the FA Trophy) to see what we will be up against.

“I’m confident we’ll put on a decent performance because our lads have always come up with the goods in the big games this season.

“I was gobsmacked when I saw how many coaches are going down there to support us tonight. The fans obviously feel we were right to regard this as an important competition.”

Tonight’s game will be the first time AFC Telford have appeared in front of live television cameras.

The coverage on Setanta will include Smith outlining his team and tactics in a pre-match feature, as well as conducting in-play interviews with the Irish broadcaster’s pitchside reporter Rebecca Lowe.

“I’m not overly keen, but that’s the way they do it and we’ll go along with what they need,” said Smith.

“The only thing is that I won’t wear a microphone during the game – I don’t think that would be a good idea!”

Former Forest Green striker Danny Carey-Bertram is a big injury doubt tonight, while midfielders Danny Edwards and Phil Trainer are cup-tied.

Left-back James Meredith serves a ban after being sent off in the northern area final at Barrow.

l Setanta’s pre-match build-up begins at 7.30pm.