Len Mahoney Cup Final

DUKE OF ALBANY v KINGSWOOD

THE Duke of Albany were crowned the county’s Sunday Intermediate Cup winners last weekend but tomorrow they will have to overcome formidable opponents the Kingswood if they are to make it a historic double by lifting the Len Mahoney Cup at the Wessex Stadium (1.30pm).

Clinton Coltart, who ably deputised for Anthony Luque throughout his injury, returns between the sticks for the cup holders in what will be their last ever Sunday outing while Don Wellman and Jason Pearce both return after missing last week’s final through injury.

However, holidaying trio Dan Welch, Liam Miles and Adam Linaker all miss out while stalwart Simon Ansell is a doubt after injuring his shoulder in midweek and striker Chris Sweetser-Hawkes remains sidelined, also with a shoulder injury Player-boss Luke Tomlin said: “All the lads were absolutely fantastic last weekend and proved to everyone that we are the best Sunday side at our level in Dorset. Now we need to stay focused to ensure we retain the Len Mahoney Cup.

“I’m positive the Kingswood lads will give us a much harder test than last week’s opponents. They’re a fantastic footballing side and I think they will win the league next year but we need to make sure we want the trophy more than them on the day.”

Meanwhile, Wood co-boss Jason Wellman is hoping both sides can create an entertaining spectacle in the League’s annual showpiece event that closes the season.

He said: “Both ourselves and the Duke like to play good football and I am sure the final will be a good advert for the league. We have the utmost respect for Luke Tomlin’s side and what they have achieved over the last couple of years and the fact they have experienced these types of occasions many times before makes them slight favourites.

“However, our boys have been magnificent over the past five-and-a-half months and will want to put in a performance. Opportunities like this do not come around often and we want to make the most of it and try and top off what has already been a very successful season with a piece of silverware.”

Striker Nick Etherington misses out for the Wood but the good news is that vice-captain Ian McDonald is expected to return.

Duke of Albany (from): Coltart, Luque, Sharpe, Porteus, Harris, Steele, Burton, Wellman, Carter, Ansell, Spivey, Davey, Samways, Tomlin, Zima, Pearce, North, Andrews.

Kingswood (from): Gregg, Ward, King, Shapcott, A Crane, Hart, Capel, M Lambert, S Crane, McDonald, Williamson, P Lambert, Hallett, S Lambert, Magee, Limm, Stone.