Latics sights on final glory

Liverpool stand in way of Dickov’s men

ATHLETIC go for glory tomorrow in the Lancashire Senior Cup final as Paul Dickov looks to pick up his first piece of silverware as a manager.

They take on a Liverpool XI at the Lancashire FA headquarters at Leyland (kick-off 3pm).

Chief executive Alan Hardy can’t wait for the special occasion and says it’s a privilege to take part.

He said: “There is a lot of tradition attached to this competition.

“We lifted the trophy three years ago against Bolton so it would be nice if we could do it again.

“The fans can make a difference, I’m sure a couple of hundred will be showing their support.

“The tournament has a rich history, the Lancashire FA is one of the longest established football associations in the country.

“We are proud to be members.”

Should Athletic triumph tomorrow, Hardy believes it will be a fine achievement considering the standard of opposition every year.

“If you look at some of the teams that have competed in and gone out of this cup, I feel we’ve done well to come this far.

“Obviously it’s an opportunity for sides to use their young players or reserves, but it’s still a cup final, which we are looking forward to.

“I don’t know much about Liverpool’s squad but they are one of the top sides in the Premier League so I imagine they will have some very talented players.”

Andy Holdsworth, who played his first game of the pre-season campaign against Mossley earlier in the week, is again included in the squad.

Under new manager Roy Hodgson, Liverpool’s first team squad are currently preparing for a Europa League third qualifying round tie at home to Macedonian side Rabotnicki next Thursday.

Before that, Hodgson will watch his charges in a friendly away at Bundesliga side Kaiserslautern tomorrow.

The Liverpool XI to take on Athletic will therefore be made up of reserves and academy players, managed by John McMahon.

The same squad played on Tuesday night, gaining a 0-0 draw at Wrexham.

Athletic squad: Fleming, Holdsworth, Fodor, MacDonald, Lomax, Miller, Worthington, Bembo-leta, Colbeck, Abbott, Feeney, Eaves, Brooke, Kompany, Pursehouse (trialist), Ollerenshaw.

Liverpool XI (from): Bouzanis, Flanagan, Mendy, Cooper, Wisdom, Coady, Silva, Kolhert, Saric, Fernandez, Weijl, N’Goo, Stephens, Sokolik, Roberts, McGiveron, Giglio, Hatch.