PREMIERSHIP outfit the Duke of Albany were only formed two years ago but their exceptional progress in Sunday football reaches an all-time high tomorrow when they travel to Dorchester’s Jewson Stadium to contest the Intermediate Cup final (10.30am).

Waiting for the Duke, who beat the Rodwell 6-2 in a Len Mahoney Cup semi-final on Thursday, will be last year’s beaten finalists the Angel of Poole, who beat both Premiership title-holders the Belvedere and Intermediate Cup holders Joscelyne Builders en-route to the final.

Regular stopper Anthony Luque is fit to return to the Duke line-up following an ankle injury but Chris Sweetser-Hawkes has been ruled out. Meanwhile, Adam Linaker and Jason Pearce both face late fitness tests.

Player-boss Luke Tomlin, whose side has fallen away from the Premiership title race, said: “We’ve been looking forward to this tie since winning the semi-final. Perhaps we’ve concentrated on this game too much because our league form has dipped slightly. However, this has always been our main priority so we must make sure we return to Weymouth with the cup.”

Danny Andrews (3), Russell North (2) and Rob Sharpe did the damage for the Duke against the Rodwell, whose consolation goals came from Matt Jones and Oli Stanton.

That has set up a meeting with the Kingswood in the Len Mahoney Cup final at the Wessex Stadium next Sunday at 1pm after the Wood defeated Southill SC 2-0 with a brace from Paul Lambert. Meanwhile at the Marsh, the Belve meet second-bottom Punchbowl requiring maximum points to stay on course to claim a third successive title.

Boss Bobby Darch said: “After last week’s collapse against the Britannia this is now a must win game but we have at least responded well to that disappointment with a fine 4-1 Les Hallett Trophy semi-final win over The George (Portland) in midweek.”

Scorers for the Belve on Tuesday were Leighton Hanson (2), Paul Cole and an own goal to set up a final with the Tuatara – 6-1 victors over the Market House – next Sunday at the Wessex at 10.30am.

Darch added: “We should be at full strength tomorrow and we will need to show the same spirit as on Tuesday night if we are to keep our challenge alive.”

Nick Preece was the hat-trick hero for Tuatara in their semi-final success. Also on target for the T-Bar were Charlie Kenderdine, Simon Meadows and Danny Dancer. Sean Lynch grabbed the Market House’s consolation.

Tuesday night sees the curtain fall on the Britannia’s season as they entertain the Rodwell at the Piggery (6.30pm) and the stakes could not be higher for the table-toppers who need a win whilst hoping the Belve drop at least two points from their last two games.

If the Brit do collect all three points they may have a nervous two-day wait to see if the Belve drop points in their final encounter, also against the Rodwell.