HAVING beaten their Evening Advertiser Cup final opponents in the league less than a week ago you would think Zurich are confident of success in tomorrow's showpiece at Swindon Supermarine's Hunts Copse.

They also head rivals Liden in the Swindon & District Premier Division standings but manager Richard Pearce still believes the odds could be stacked against his side.

The absence of leading scorer Craig Alexander is Pearce's biggest headache ahead of the 105th Adver Cup final.

Zurich's star man is unavailable and that could prove to be a massive loss.

"He's scored more than 25 goals this season," said Pearce. "But not only that, he's a very good player, probably the most skilful in the league.

"We'll certainly miss him."

The goalscoring burden will fall on the experienced shoulders of veteran forward Vince Meredith Zurich's top marksman for four years prior to Alexander's emergence.

Meanwhile skipper Anthony Rutzler needs to provide the stability at the back.

For the second successive year the final is being held away from the County Ground due to ongoing pitch repair.

Supermarine's Hunts Copse plays host this time another factor suiting Liden according to Pearce.

He said: "To be honest, we're a good footballing side and they are very physical and direct.

"We've got doubts about the quality of the Supermarine pitch though and that could effect our style of play.

"That could be the telling point."

Pearce can take heart from the progress his side has made to get to this stage though.

He added: "We've beaten Ridgeway who are second in the Premier Division, Shield & Dagger, who won Division One and the holders Windmill in the semi-final.

"That shows that, on our day, we are capable of beating anyone."

Zurich defeated Liden 2-1 in last week's warm-up but both teams were understrength.

Liden won the reverse fixture 3-2 earlier in the season, demonstrating how little there is between the sides.

The fact Liden have reached the final is a minor miracle in itself.

They only crept into the Swindon & District League through the back door on the eve of the season.

Player Nathan Sharpe helped form the outfit. He said: "We'd been trying to get a team together and the week before the season started one club dropped out and we took their place.

"We lost our first game 4-0 and thought 'Here we go!'"

"But we've got some good players in now and we'll be up there challenging again next season.

"We're known as an aggressive side.

"We're probably the roughest in the league but you can't get this far without just being aggressive."

Jason Kearns, with 30-plus goals this term, is Liden's danger man with midfield dynamo Kevin Priest another key figure.

But Sharpe believes it's at the back where the game will be won or lost.

"We've had problems at the back and conceded too many goals, but if we stay solid on Saturday we will win."

THE Adver Cup final kicks-off at 2.30pm at Supermarine's Hunts Copse.

It is preceded by the George Thomas/Don Rogers final between Ridgeway and Liden Pumas at 11.30am.