Drove lost on their last appearance against Whittlesey United in 1981 but the dominated the competition in the 60s and 70s.

This time around however the game is tinged with sadness following the death of manager Nick Markillie’s son Daniel in a road accident. The 21-year-old was a regular member of the team and played his part in helping them reach the semi-finals.

Father Nick admits: “Perhaps it is fate that we are playing in the final but I know before the semi-final game all the lads were determined to win that game in memory of Dan. It will be very sad not having him with us at London Road on the night and I will certainly have mixed emotions.”

In fact Daniel’s older brother Stefan, another regular member of the team, may also miss playing in the final after picking up a knee injury in the semi-final win over AFC Fletton.

Perkins and Drove met in a recent league match with Perkins coming away with a 1-0 win but Markillie is not reading too much into that result.

He commented: “It was a nothing game really. They had won the title already and I don’t think either side wanted to give anything away before the final. Had we taken our early chances we might have won.”

Markillie feels the two defences may hold the key to the game. Not surprisingly he has plenty of confidence in the Drove defenders who went nine successive games earlier in the year without conceding a goal.

“I think we will be difficult for them to break us down and I am sure Artur Mikailla, who is nursing an ankle injury, and Paul Shafer will cause their back four plenty of problems. I also think our style of play may upset them too. We like to play a high tempo and get at them and If we can get a good start I think we can win the game.

“They may have won the title but they have shown this season they are vulnerable and have suffered some surprise defeats and in a couple of games have come from 3-0 down to win. They will struggle to do that against our defence.”

The return of central defender Steve Thompson proved a big boost to Drove before Christmas and he certainly made the defence very mean.

If Mikaila misses the game then it will be either Jamie Parsons and Dominic Pintillie who will come in and Markillie commented:”It will really depend on whether we go 3-5-2 or 4-5-1 who plays. But apart from Stefan, we have a full squad who are very much looking forward to the game.”

A coach has already been booked for the short trip to the game and there looks like being plenty of support there on the night from the village as well as footballers from the Leverington and Wisbech St Mary Clubs.

Drove probable squad: Adam Wright, Mark Clare, Steve Thompson, Gary Haime, Jamie Muffet, Michael Cozens, Matt Fuller, Rob Taylor, Barry Shailes, Artur Mikaila, Paul Shafer, Dominic Pintillie, Jamie Parsons, James Clarke, Mark Frankland, Aidan patrick, Stefan markillie, John Rose, Danny Norman.