Glory-hunting skipper Marc Brown is targeting more cup joy as his side prepares to host Preston in the Readers Cup this weekend.

Netherfield entertain the Northern League’s basement boys with a semi-final place up for grabs, and an opportunity to add further silverware to the Parkside Road trophy cabinet.

Dogged by inconsistent league form, Brown believes knockout cricket provides their best chance of further success this season.

“There is a place in the last four up for grabs so if we can come out on top the rewards are there for us,” he said.

“We’ve got to be very professional against Preston and we will go into that game determined to get a positive result.

“We have been unable to string a run of victories together in the league which puts extra emphasis on the cup competitions and we certainly fancy this tournament.

This inconsistency was evident in Saturday’s defeat to Lancaster and prior to Sunday’s cup showdown, Netherfield travel to high-flying Leyland for a league clash.

And while Brown – who scored 46 in defeat to Lancaster – was quick to give credit to last week’s opposition, he was left to rue missed opportunities.

“Sometimes you have to give credit where it’s due and Lancaster have surprised quite a few teams this year and have got some very good cricketers who play with a free spirit,” he added.

“We started well but I got myself out when I was going well. Nevertheless, the game was there for us at times but we failed to stand up.

“But we’ve got to go again and Leyland is a big game where hopefully strong opposition will bring out the best in us.”

Meanwhile, Kendal captain Stu Parkin hopes to harness the momentum generated over the last month as his side comes up against fifth-placed St Annes at Shap Road.

Kendal followed Saturday’s win over Preston with a narrow nine-run defeat to Fleetwood in the Readers Cup, although Parkin was pleased with the weekend shift put in by his charges.

“Looking at the cricket we have played in the past four weeks, we should be taking that forward into Saturday’s game and competing – St Annes are a strong side but I’m positive,” he said.

“It was a tremendous effort against Fleetwood, we always knew it would be tough and we battled very hard against possibly the strongest side in the Northern League.

“And we’ve always had mixed fortunes at Preston but we were very professional in the way we went about things.

“Despite losing five wickets we were never really in any trouble of losing the game but I do wish we could have won with a bit more comfort but credit to the lads, overall we did a good job.”

And Parkin is excited at the prospect of welcoming a new recruit on board for Saturday’s game, with former Pakistan under19 fast bowler Adil Raza joining the ranks as sub-pro.

“It is always a bit of a lottery with the sub-pros and what they can do for you but Adil comes highly recommended and we’re expecting big things from him,” he added.

The Teams

Leyland v Netherfield Marc Brown (Captain), John Huck, Colin Ackermann Professional), Ben Barrow, Greg Hall, Brad Earl, Shane Dixon, Brendan Herron, Matthew Goodall, Nathan Chambers, Scott Clement

Netherfield v Preston Marc Brown (Captain), John Huck, Colin Ackermann (Professional), Ben Barrow, Greg Hall, Brad Earl, Shane Dixon, Brendan Herron, Nathan Dixon, Bred Airey, Scott Clement

Kendal v St Annes Stu Parkin (Captain), Terry Hunte, Ryan Nelson, Jack White, Chris Miller, Darren Braithwaite, Nick Lewthwaite, Oliver Field, Nick Phillips, Adam Cowperthwaite, Adil Raza