PETE Moore isn't exaggerating when he says his Brockenhurst side will be lucky to escape with a four-goal hiding by Hampshire League sensations Winchester City at Grigg Lane tomorrow.
On paper, Brock's Jewson Wessex League status makes them favourites for the third round FA Vase tussle, but Moore insisted: "You can forget all about them being underdogs. The way things are going for us at the moment, we stand no chance whatsoever. If we beat them, it will be a real upset."
With defender Kieron Hall having intensive treatment on a knee ligament problem and frontman Richie Glenister still "iffy" after cartilage damage, Brock's injury jinx shows no signs of abating.
But it's not just the walking wounded that put the Foresters at a disadvantage. While John Robson's big-spending City slickers are bull-dozing everything in their path this season, hard-up Brock are in disarray behind the scenes after the departures of chairman Dave Stansbridge and secetary Terry Simpson.
Effectively the club is being run by husband and wife team, Ray and Tina Colverson, and Moore admitted: "It's such hard work at the moment. People are trying to do the right things but we badly need support. Ray should've been working nights on Tuesday, but instead he was here for our League Cup game against Downton (2-2) and you could see the strain on his face.
"It didn't help that we played so badly and I told the players if they turn in another performance like that against City, we'll be lucky to keep it to six."
Winchester are on a seemingly unstoppable mission to play Wessex football next season and have already proved their pot-ential by beating Lymington & New Milton in the Russell Cotes Cup and bursting Gosport's Hampshire Senior Cup bubble.
Moore said: "They're a far better side than the level they're playing at and I fear they have too many good players in too many key areas. We'll give it our best shot but, realistically, our only hope is that they come here and underestimate us."
Striker Stuart Findlay has ret-urned to the City ranks after a brief spell at Fleet but is unlikely to get a place with new signing Ian Mancey now in the equation.
Ex-Saint Mark Blake is fit again but must sit out one last game suspended, while midfielder Gary Green is doubtful with a chipped wrist bone.
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