Last updated at 11:39, Friday, 14 December 2012

Kells will be bidding to win the BARLA Cumbria County Cup for the second time in a year tomorrow.

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Victorious against Walney Island in January, the Whitehaven club go for a repeat at the Copeland Stadium (2pm) against Glasson Rangers.

As coach Peter Smith says: “It’s been a long season. In fact we’ve virtually had four seasons in one and I think a lot of lads are ready for a break.”

Smith, however, insists that his Kells squad are determined to finish the campaign on a high after the disappointment of losing the top four play-off final to Distington two weeks ago.

“I made my feelings known after the game but all I’ll say is we were on the wrong end of some really harsh decisions. As I told the players, we can control a game, but we can’t control the referee.

“That’s behind us now, a number of things transpired against us, and all we want to do is put on a show to complete the season and take home some silverware.

“I think that it’s going to be tough. We had a big 48-0 win over them in the Amateur Cup but they had a few players unavailable. When we met in the league it was fairly close on each occasion.

“They have a decent squad, with youth and experience and we will have to be on our game to win it.”

Kells have been playing regularly but Glasson haven’t been involved for a few weeks because of play-offs and postponements.

Smith wonders how that will affect the two sides on the day. “They will be refreshed and should be injury free, whereas we might have players nursing a few knocks. But at least we are match fit and the way they trailed this week suggests they are up for it,” he says.

Ross Gainford, a member of the Kells A squad which beat Flimby last week to win the Dale Campbell-Savours Cup, twisted his knee when he slipped taking a goal kick.

“I’m hoping he is going to be ok because he’s one of the players who will be in contention for the final on Saturday,” said the coach.

Kells, of course, are moving their first team into the National Conference next year, so that’s another reason why they want to go out with a bang.

“I think we are all looking forward to the challenge of stepping up to that level. There is going to be more intensity about our preparation and also in the games we will play.

“We will have a break over Christmas and into the New Year, because the lads have earned it, and then we will get down to business gearing-up for the Conference. I just want one more piece of silverware in the clubhouse,” said Smith.

First published at 11:25, Friday, 14 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk