More glory on the cards for Walney Central

Last updated at 15:28, Friday, 20 September 2013

THE promise of another cup final is on the horizon for Walney Central in a trophy-heavy season.

They host Glasson Rangers tomorrow in the Cumbria League play-offs as their season draws to a close, while Dalton begin their winter campaign in the North West Counties at home to Golborne Parkside.

Millom and Ulverston are also in action in key matches which will help decide their fate.

WALNEY CENTRAL v GLASSON RANGERS

WALNEY are just 80 minutes away from booking a second final place in the Cumbria League and keeping on course for a quadruple-winning season.

The Cents – already winners of the Barton Townley Cup and the Cumbria League title – take on Glasson in the semi-final of the league’s Top-Four play-offs.

They have another final on the horizon as well, when they face Maryport on October 12 in the Challenge Cup final in the west of the county.

Coach Gary Broadbent said: “We are just one game away from another final and the incentive is that, if we win tomorrow, we will play at Craven Park on Sunday week.

“We’re going into the game a little rusty with not having played for three weeks and timing goes out of the window, so we have to turn up and perform. We did the double over them in the league, but they are a very good side and have many good players, especially in hooker and BARLA international Nathan Lucock.

“We will be very strong in the forwards, but I will have to look at who plays where in the back line.

“Mike McKinley has returned to Australia, so Mike Elliott will move into his natural position at full-back.

“McKinley will be a miss for us. He came into his own in recent games and his form was good.

“We’ve got Danny Morrow back from his tour Down Under and we’re hoping for a dry pitch after all the rain recently.”

Broadbent has ruled himself out of the 17-man squad, which he was to finalise last night.

With Elliott in at full-back, Brad Nicholls is likely to partner Jamie Morrow at half-back, but Jake Deveraux and Harry Gee are unavailable.

DALTON v GOLBORNE PARKSIDE

DALTON open their North West Counties season with a tough home fixture against Golborne, but go into action with several new players on board.

One man who could feature is former Barrow Raiders flyer James Nixon.

The speedy winger – who quit Craven Park early this year – has trained at Kelland Park this week alongside other new faces Danny Bower and Joe Cargan, from Roose Pioneers, and Keiron Norman, James Duerden and Jamie Southard, from Askam.

Add these to last season’s signings Lee Dutton, Jordan Herdman and Adam Nicholson, and Paul Crarey’s side look to be a strong outfit all round.

One player who has been a Dalton stalwart for over two decades – apart from brief spells with Walney and Barrow Island – Ryan Birkby, has hung up his boots.

Assistant coach Owen Richards said ahead of the new campaign: “Ryan will be a big loss to the club. He has been a good all-round player, but we have recruited well over the close-season and have a good, balanced squad.

“We should be very strong up front, but will be without Darren Laisby, who has a serious wrist injury, while Matt Bolton and Chris Reid are working offshore.

“On top of that, we have two youngsters who will be pushing for places in Alistair McEwan and Josh Dent.

“Parkside are a strong side, so it is going to be a tough start. They are usually very strong and physical.”

MILLOM v OULTON

MILLOM face a tough four-match schedule if they are to avoid the drop into National Conference Division Two.

They face promotion-chasing Oulton tomorrow, followed East Leeds, St Judes and Hunslet Warriors – the latter two games away from home.

Coach Anthony Murray said: “We have the toughest run-in, so it is going to be a tall order to survive and we are looking to win our home games.”

Marcus O’Brien is ruled out, having returned from the BARLA tour Down Under with a knee injury which requires a scan. Others unavailable are Paul Carter, Craig Wilson and the honeymooning Anthony ‘Midge’ Dixon.

ST JUDES A v ULVERSTON

ULVERSTON should pick up the points on their travels going into the game as leaders of North West Men’s League Division One.

However, they will have to improve upon their last game with Heysham, when they drew 10-10 at Dragley Beck.

Unavailable are Mike Reekes and Matt Storey.

First published at 15:22, Friday, 20 September 2013

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk

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More glory on the cards for Walney Central