STANWAY ROVERS manager Kem Izzet is urging his players to shelve their nerves and embrace the challenge of trying to reach a cup final.

The Hawthorns side are preparing for a League Challenge Cup semi-final at Thetford Town tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

The winners will meet either Wroxham or BRANTHAM ATHLETIC, who also play tonight, at Trafford Park.

Izzet acknowledges that the contest is a big test for his players - many of whom are young and preparing for their first taste of a semi-final.

However, he hopes they control their butterflies and do themselves justice.

"I'm sure there will be a few nerves," said the Colchester United legend.

"They may have played in cup semi-finals and finals in junior football but I don't think any have at senior level.

"That means it's a first for them - and arguably their biggest game yet - so there might be a few butterflies flying round.

"However, I'll be telling them to enjoy it and embrace the possibility of getting to a final.

"It'll be a great experience for them and all we can ask is that they do themselves justice and produce a good performance.

"They've got to keep doing what they've been doing and nothing out of the ordinary.

"It's about everyone knowing their jobs - doing the horrible, ugly, nasty stuff in terms of defending and trying to keep a clean sheet and then expressing themselves in the final third.

"If you can do that, you'll always have a chance."

In-form Stanway are seventh in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division table but had no game on Saturday, following the postponement of their scheduled match at home to Godmanchester Rovers.

However, Izzet does not believe there will be any rustiness among his players.

"We haven't had a game for a while but everyone's looking forward to playing again," he said.

"The fact it's a cup semi-final makes it extra special and we're ready and prepared, despite not playing on Saturday.

"We still managed to train for an hour and a bit so hopefully there won't be any rustiness.

"We've been working hard and this game has been in the back of our minds for a while.

"Thetford are very lively going forward which is why we know it's important to defend well.

"Going forward, we're a match for most teams but it's about earning the right to play."

Stanway have won the cup twice in recent years, taking home the silverware in both 2009 and 2012.

On those occasions they defeated Leiston and Norwich United respectively.

In 2013 they reached the final again but were defeated by Wisbech Town.

Marley Andrews rolled his ankle in training last week and is a non-starter.

Elsewhere tonight, title-chasing COGGESHALL TOWN have a premier division date at home to Ely City.