The 19-year-old midfielder said that in the wake of Boro's 5-1 demolition of Andy Sinton's side back on Boxing Day, his team was well aware that Fleet would be out for revenge, but that Boro were just treating the game as another step towards the BGB Southern 1 South & West title.

 

"We know they will be gunning for us after what happened in the last game," he explained. "They certainly won't want to lose to us again, in their own backyard, but we are all looking at the game as taking us one step closer to the title.

 

"I don't really treat these games any differently, but they are our local rivals and the game is really important to the fans. We are aware of that as players, and we want to win it for them. We want the local bragging rights as much as anyone.

 

"It's obviously a massive game in terms of our season, but we have eight cup finals left if we want to win the league, not just one against Fleet."

 

Rumbold also made it clear that it was his side's intentions to put to an end any lingering hopes Fleet may have of taking the title themselves.

 

"They have obviously lost a few games recently, while we have been winning ours, and that has seen them drop back in the league," he said.

 

"Although form goes out the window in a derby game, they can't really afford to lose many more, and if we beat them then I think they are out of the race, for the title at least."

 

Rumbold has been in outstanding form this season and has arguably been Boro's most consistent player. His manager Andy Clement has frequently stated that he is the first name on the team sheet, and it is his committed, high-energy displays that have seen him handed the captain's armband in recent weeks.

 

Off the ball his hard-working, constant pressing of the opposition, and with the ball his drive and persistence, make him a nightmare for the opposition players, and Rumbold said he was enjoying his role as the leader of the side, despite his relatively young age.

 

"I really enjoy captaining the side, and it's an honour to lead a club like Farnborough," he said. "There are quite a few more experienced guys around the squad, and I am only young, but I just try to play my normal game.

 

"I have always been talkative on the pitch and like to organise things, and I hope that the way I play inspires the rest of team to perform.

 

"I think I have played pretty well this season, and I've even managed to score a few goals as well which I don't normally do. But I just desperately want to get out of this league with Farnborough and progress with my career here."

 

With eight games to go, Boro are eight points clear of second place Didcot Town, and 11 clear of neighbours Fleet. At this stage of the campaign it is clearly a healthy lead, and although they are not counting any chickens, Rumbold revealed that the squad have been talking about winning the league.

 

"We go out and we want to win every game of course," he said. "But we do think that if we win six of our eight games and draw another that will probably be enough to win the title.

 

"But clearly we feel that we can win every game we play and we want to do that. We have shown in the last few weeks that we can battle with anyone and win. In the position we are in, if we win all our games then no-one can catch us, whatever results they get.

 

"It would be a massive achievement to win the title considering where we came from at the start of the season. We have had a huge turnover of players which has been difficult at times, but the squad is settled now.

 

"If we do get promotion then I think the team we have now has the quality to do well in the league above as well, so we don't fear anything up there."

 

Kick off at Calthorpe Park on Easter Monday is at 3pm.

First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail