The Seagulls will be managed by Ruth and player-coach Andrew Crofts at the game, and Ruth says these ties allow everyone the chance to develop their skills as players and coaches.
He said, “It’s an opportunity for myself and Crofty to practise leading a team into a game, and develop our way of affecting games from the sidelines.
“Simon [Rusk] will be there, but it’s his way of developing us as coaches in terms of taking the lead on this game. This tournament is also a good development tool for our under-18s, the under-23s, and for different staff to lead certain parts of our preparation.
“Certainly Crofty and I will enjoy that responsibility, and we’ll hopefully get a positive result.”
Ruth spoke about the lessons that the side have learned from the two previous ties against Hastings United and Burgess Hill Town, which the Seagulls won 3-2 and 4-2 respectively.
“From those two results, you can tell that no game is straightforward. You are playing against players that have had a lot of games at that level, or are finishing their careers working back down the pyramid of football.
“There are some very good footballers with a good nous for the game. You can never take any liberties, as your approach always has to be right, because the opposition can hurt you.
With the final set to be held at the Amex, the under-23 coach says there is even more motivation for the players to win the trophy.
“We want to win this competition, as the final is being played at our home ground. That gives us even more impetus to progress, but we know we can’t take anything for granted.”