AFC Telford boss Andy Sinton to face pal

Boss Andy Sinton hopes to pile misery on a former team-mate when his AFC Telford United side go to to Newport County tonight.

Sinton played with County manager Justin Edinburgh at Tottenham in the late 1990s.

But friendship is being put aside for tonight's vital Blue Square Premier game.

"I spent a couple of years with Justin at Tottenham and he's a good lad," Sinton said. "He's worked his way up, a bit like myself, and did really well at Rushden."

Goalkeeper Ryan Young knows all about big games looming on the horizon.

The Bucks No 1 was part of the AFC Telford squad that defeated Forest Green Rovers in the 2009 Setanta Shield final when his three saves in a penalty shoot-out secured the glory.

So he knows how the Newport County players will be feeling ahead of tonight's Blue Square Bet Premier clash with the Bucks, knowing they have a big Wembley final to look forward to in the FA Trophy next month.

And the Telford stopper insists it will be no easy ride in South Wales.

"I would imagine all their players will want to play at Wembley," said Young. "But that will just mean they all want to play games.

"I can't imagine any of them will go and try and save themselves for Wembley. I can't imagine their manager will let them do anything else other than concentrate on the League games.

"If you thought they were going to have an off day it would have been on Tuesday night but they went and beat York 2-1.

"When we played the Setanta Shield all I wanted to do was play games in between the semi-final and the final and I am sure they will be the same.

"It is a great achievement for them to have reached Wembley but it won't affect us.

"We have just got to go there and concentrate on our own game and try and pick up points. One point will be good but three will be great. All we can do is keep collecting points because everything is in our hands."

And Young, who has been one of Telford's stand-out performers this season, admitted he was pleased with his own form in his first season at this level.

"I don't think I have anything to prove to anyone," said Young who has made more than 200 appearances for Telford.

"I just go out there and try to make sure that I do my best and that I am not the weak link in the side.

"I try not to worry about the step-up in level and just concentrate on doing my job." Young also holds down a full time job in land maintenance, something very few others in the top flight on non-league football manage.

"I wouldn't say it was a positive thing," added the 32-year-old. "I certainly don't enjoy getting up at 5am some mornings to come in for work.

"But then when you have played on a Saturday or a midweek you get no time to think about it because you have to be at work which is a good thing.

"Would I love to play football for a living? Of course I would but at my age I don't think that will happen so I will keep doing what I'm doing."