GREAT Wakering Rovers first team coach Craig Shipman admits it will be a bittersweet feeling going up against former club Brentwood Town tomorrow.

Shipman enjoyed three years at the Brentwood helm before resigning last May.

Since then, Shipman enjoyed a brief spell on the backroom staff at Hullbridge Sports before moving to Wakering and he is looking forward to going head-to-head with some familiar faces at Burroughs Park this weekend.

“I have got mixed emotions going up against Brentwood and it will be bittersweet for me,” said Shipman.

“It’s a club quite dear to me because they gave me my first opportunity in management.

“I did alright there and, when I was offered the job, we won seven of the last nine games of the season to ensure survival.

“I resigned in May because I thought the club had hit a brick wall behind the scenes.

“Admittedly, I don’t get very emotional when it comes to football but I did after I left.”

It is a crunch clash for both sides as seventh-placed Wakering are six points adrift of the Isthmian North play-off places while Brentwood are four points above the relegation zone.

And Shipman admits claiming victory is paramount if Wakering want to challenge for promotion.

“Both sides have so much to play for,” added Shipman.

“It’s a massive game for both clubs.

“But our players will be giving everything they have got to win the game.”

Wakering will be unable to call upon Jacob Wiggins, who joined from Brentwood earlier this month.