Mid Oxon Schools’ manager Neil Edwards will tell his young players to enjoy every moment when they taken on Dacorum in the final of the English Schools FA Trophy at the Kassam Stadium tonight (Thursday, May 19, 6.30pm).

Mid Oxon reached the final for the first time in their 55-year history with a memorable 2-1 extra-time victory over Liverpool in March when Jacob Hughes bagged a brace in front of more than 300 spectators.

But while tonight’s final will be the biggest game in Mid Oxon’s history, Edwards is confident that the talented youngsters will not freeze.

Many of the squad are already connected with professional clubs.

Defender Dom Hyam is on the books with Reading, while Josh Lathey, Jacob Hughes, Rory Linford-Pill, Connor Robbins, Ryan Heap and Sam Humphreys are all members of Oxford United’s under 16 squad.

Edwards said: “They are just so excited about the challenge. Preparation has been going very well. We won the county cup last Thursday, so go into the match full of confidence.

“I’m thrilled for the players, it’s a very proud moment for all of them and also for the management team.

“I think a lot of the recognition has to go to our head coach, Anthony Hemming.

“He’s so passionate about the game and he’s been involved with Mid Oxon for many years.”

Edwards says there is a quiet air of confidence in the camp.

“Getting to the final was a huge achievement in itself,” he said. “But at the same time, they are a very determined bunch of players and they won’t be happy unless they go on to win the competition now.”

Dacorum, like Mid Oxon, are one of the smaller associations in the competition.

They too had a memorable semi-final win, beating South London Schools 5-4 on penalties at Chelsea’s training ground after a 1-1 draw.

Edwards added: “Dacorum are very similar to us in terms of size, and so in that sense, it should be quite a closely-fought game.

“But the kids will be in the spotlight. For many it will be the biggest game in their lives.

“Hopefully some will go on to have professional careers, but for some, this will be the pinnacle of their careers.”

One player who will miss the final is Mattie Knibbs, who is out with a broken collar bone.

Head coach Hemming said: “We started with this group as under 14s. We had a great season last year and we kept the majority of them together and the squad has just evolved .

“It’s just awesome to reach the final. For the boys to get us to the final is just such an incredible achievement.

“We have no reason to fear anybody, but the lads have nothing to prove. We will go out there and enjoy it.”

Mid Oxon squad: O Churchill (Henry Box), K Lewis (Henry Box), J Lathey (Oxford Utd & Henry Box), Y Elouahabi (Henry Box), J Hughes (Oxford Utd & Henry Box), J Holifield (Henry Box), H Cornforth (Henry Box), L Turner (Henry Box), R Linford-Pill (Oxford Utd & Carterton CC), D Hyam (Reading FC & Carterton CC), T Mazur (Carterton CC), F Wiley (Bartholomew), L Botcherby (Bartholomew), R Heap (Oxford Utd & Marlborough School), C Robbins (Oxford Utd & Marlborough School), T Harrison-Turner (Burford), M Knibbs (Burford), S Humphreys (Oxford Utd & Chipping Norton School),T Dale (Gosford Hill).