Northampton player-boss gearing up for Semi-Final.
Northampton Duke Of York v Oyster Martyrs
The FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup
Semi-Final
2pm, Sunday 20 March
Nene Park, Rushden & Diamonds FC
Click here for fixtures
Harry Barnes has only had one season to lay the foundations at his new club Duke Of York, but the 22-year-old bricklayer has already guided them to the Semi-Final of The FA Sunday Cup.
Barnes still pulls on his boots for the Northamptonshire Sunday Combination League side, where his goals have helped them remain unbeaten so far this season, but it's their progress in Sunday football's premier competition that has been most impressive.
"We have played really well and I think that has helped our league form," said the young manager. "The lads have worked really hard to get us to this point and the good news is I have no injuries and everyone is available."
Barnes expects a physical game from Oyster Martyrs, who he describes as the best Sunday league team in Liverpool, but he has a player of his own that he believes could hold the key to a place in the prestigious Final.
"We are all a young side that has grown up together and everyone works tremendously well as a team," he said. "Scott Cross has scored in every Round he has played in this season and I wouldn't bet on him stopping just yet."
Barnes, it sounds, still has a lot to offer on the pitch himself but he has taken up a successful post in the Duke Of York dug-out and is now flourishing in his new role.
"The manager's job came about as a bit of luck really," explained Barnes. "The team we all used to play for folded, but luckily the team that the pub we used to go in wanted us to take over their side.
"Not many of the other lads were up for taking on the manager's role, but with the players that we have it has been pretty easy and winning The Sunday Cup wouldn't be a bad way to start my managerial career as the last time they won it I think I was 15."
