Latics on red alert

CHRIS Taylor is in contention for Saturday’s trip to Yeovil.

A PAIR of goals from Ryan Brooke set up Athletic for a tasty Lancashire Senior Cup final clash with Premier League giants Liverpool.

The 19-year-old striker, who has made only two starts for the first team among his 16 appearances this term, netted twice for Lee Duxbury’s side in a 2-0 win against Preston which takes Athletic to within 90 minutes of claiming silverware.

The Liverpool clash — potentially a money-spinner, depending on what sort of squad the Premier League side elect to pick — will now take place at some point in pre-season, either at Boundary Park or at the Lancashire County FA headquarters in Leyland.

Gate receipts for the final are split between the two clubs involved.

Of more pressing concern from an Athletic viewpoint is the return of first-team duo Jim Goodwin and Chris Taylor yesterday afternoon.

Huddersfield Town loan man Goodwin played for the first-half at Deepdale, his first taste of action since suffering a troublesome thigh injury in mid-February.

And winger Taylor managed over an hour as he continued to make good progress following a calf problem.

Both men could now be in contention for the visit to Yeovil on Saturday, a game in which Dave Penney could opt to experiment with his selection as a result of Athletic’s assured League One status next season.

Brooke will also be hoping to have forced his way into the manager’s plans following his double-strike towards the end of the first half in what was a feisty clash at Preston.

Athletic had Andrew Crompton sent off late on for a two-footed lunge and Taylor and Brooke both got yellow cards for dissent.

The physical approach from a strong Athletic side was criticised by Preston’s second-team boss David Unsworth, who said that “some of the tackles were scandalous”, but Duxbury had a different view.

“I expect an exceptional work rate and level of ferocity in the performances of my teams, and got that,” he told the club website.

“The referee spoilt the game by not booking Jim Goodwin in the opening 10 minutes.”

Jermaine Johnson, a teenage centre-half on trial from Derby County — not to be confused with the former Athletic winger, now with Sheffield Wednesday — played the full 90 minutes.

Athletic reserves: Brill, Goodwin (Rose 46), Lomax, Rowney, Johnson, Aljofree, Colbeck, Worthington (Bembo-Leta 82), Eaves, Brooke, Taylor (Crompton 68). Subs not used: White, Alessandra.

Athletic last won the Lancashire Senior Cup in 2006, beating Preston on penalties after a 0-0 draw.