Tooting & Mitcham United are in action tonight vying for a place in the semi-finals of the London Senior Cup.

Craig Tanner takes his men to Cockfosters in Barnet tonight having suffered back-to-back defeats at Three Bridges and Guernsey.

The boss admitted the cup competitions – they are also in the quarter-finals of the Surrey Senior Cup – are about bringing youngster through the ranks, although as they close in on some silverware, the onus is changing.

He said: “When we [with assistant manager Adam Moriarty] first came into the job last year, it was a case of using these games to blood in the academy graduates.

“If they are to come into the squad later on in the season at least then they would have a little bit of experience to call on to make life a little bit easier, they are not being thrown in completely at the deep end.”

He added: “I have always said to the board and fans, for every round we go through the team will get gradually stronger and now there’s a chance to win a little bit of silverware and I am sure the players would like to get as far as they can, as will the fans who I know treat the competitions very seriously.

“Now we’re in the quarters, there is that chance, and it would make the season a little more productive.”

Cockfosters ply their trade in the Spartan South Midlands League, currently 16th in the table – they have won just three games since the end of October, all in the cup.

Tanner said: “I don’t know much about Cockfosters, they obviously done well to get this far and are treating the competition seriously.

“It’s one of those games where you have got to make sure you’re up for the fight.

“The pitch won’t be in the best of conditions, and we have to make sure we turn up and get to the semi-finals, and then you’re one step away.”