BILLERICAY Town midfielder Matt Johnson says winning the Ryman League Cup tonight would be the perfect way to gear up for the closing weeks of the season.

Town face Tonbridge Angels in the showpiece at Carshalton Athletic’s ground in Sutton, looking to win the first silverware of the Glenn Tamplin regime.

The match will be Tamplin’s first in charge in the competition, with Craig Edwards leading the side until last month.

And Johnson, 26, says everyone at the club wants to win the cup for new manager Tamplin, and said the confidence victory would bring could only be a positive as they bid to secure a play-off place in the final three games of the Ryman Premier League season.

“The boys want to bring a trophy home for the fans and the manager,” said Johnson, who was one of the club’s first signings under Tamplin’s ownership last November.

“We want to repay Glenn with the trophy as he has been so good for us all.

“I was one of the first signings and it has been great.

“I am a box to box midfielder. I was in more of a disciplined role under Craig Edwards but I have been given a bit more licence recently and we have been getting results.

“There is pressure at all clubs to do well and everyone knows the quality that has been brought in and the money that has been spent so we are aware of the pressure.

“In terms of the league, we need to just win our final three matches and then we will have given ourselves a chance.

“If we can get a trophy then that is a good foundation for next year.”

Captain Rob Swaine is understood to be an injury doubt for the match, with Olly Sprague cup-tied.

Although Johnson said he believes Tamplin will play his strongest side against a Tonbridge side he said is sure to be a physical opponent.

He also failed to read too much into Angels’ poor recent form, that has seen them win just twice in the last 10 matches.

“I think in cup finals the league form goes out of the window,” he said.

“They will think they have a good chance and they are talented team. When I played them earlier on in the season they were a physical side like we are so it makes for a good battle.

“We just need to make sure we are the winners of the battle.”

Johnson has been playing alongside former professionals Paul Konchesky and Jamie O’Hara in recent weeks and said they have been important additions as far as the team dynamic is concerned.

“Since they have come in they have tried to push the level on professionalism on and having them here will only help the lads,” he added.