Trojan reward for replay victors
to a 1-1 draw with Devonshire Colts in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final.
Calderon was in charge of Hotels for the first time on Sunday less than two weeks after his surprise sacking by Dandy Town two weeks ago.
Colts and Hotels replay tonight at Somerset (8 p.m.) with the winners to meet the favoured Trojans in the second semifinal at PHC Stadium on March 27 (9 p.m.).
1992 finalists Dandy Town and Boulevard meet in a replay of last year's semifinal on February 21 at a venue to be announced. That match will be preceded by the Crystal Palace Youth Cup semifinal of Devonshire Colts versus Dandy Town. The second semi is on March 27 at 7 p.m. with the winner of tonight's match between North Village and PHC playing Somerset, scheduled for 6.30 p.m.
New coach Calderon expects Colts to be equally tough in tonight's rematch.
Colts were fortunate to grab a late equaliser during the second period of extra time of Sunday's battle at Southampton Oval and Calderon feels his side were deserving of a victory.
However, he is anxious to get the message through to his team that Sunday's performance is now something of the past and that their immediate aim is to focus on the job ahead of trying to advance to the semifinals.
"We should have won Sunday's game, there is no doubt about it,'' said Calderon yesterday. "But I expect them to be a more difficult team in the replay. It's possible that they went into the first game thinking we would be pushovers.'' Calderon had his first good look at Hotels and the obvious conclusion was that they were not in such a shabby state as he may have thought even though their attack clearly showed its limitations.
He believes that once the team gets in physically good condition they could be competitive with everyone else in the First Division, including those challenging for the title.
"I guess you can say that the repair job ahead is simple to us...to just concentrate on doing the smart things and to continue to play to our strength,'' said the coach.
"To be honest I don't think there is a whole lot to chose between the top and bottom teams in the First Division. If we can gradually get our players fitter and concentrate on doing the basic things required of them then we can achieve our goals,'' he added.
Naturally the major concern is to avoid relegation in the First Division this season, but one immediate goal of Calderon's is to strive for a place in the semifinal of the FA Cup as well.
IN CHARGE -- Robert Calderon patrols the Hotels bench during Sunday's FA Cup match.